ECB Executive Board Member Isabel Schnabel: Central Bank Money Must Be on the Blockchain

Odaily News: Isabel Schnabel, a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB), stated at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium that central bank reserves remain superior to stablecoins as the ultimate settlement asset, and that the ECB must place central bank reserves on the blockchain. She noted that stablecoins lack the independent capacity to rapidly expand liquidity during periods of financial stress.

Schnabel stated that tokenization can make financial transactions faster, safer, and programmable, but only if central bank money operates on the same infrastructure as other tokenized assets. The ECB's Project Pontes is scheduled to launch in September 2026, initially connecting TARGET services with DLT platforms operated by market participants.

Project Pontes will subsequently support direct settlement on DLT platforms operating within the Eurosystem, gradually incorporating smart contract functionality and 24/7 operation. Project Appia, meanwhile, is responsible for developing the long-term architecture, technical standards, and legal framework for the European tokenized asset market, with a complete blueprint expected by 2028. (Bitcoin.com News)