According to PANews, the European Central Bank's Governing Council has approved a study on using central bank funds to settle transactions via distributed ledger technology (DLT). This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of its payment systems. The short-term project, named 'Pontes,' is set to begin a pilot phase in the third quarter of 2026, linking DLT platforms with the eurozone's TARGET payment system. In the long term, the 'Appia' project will support global operations and explore DLT solutions. The European Central Bank stated that this decision aligns with its commitment to support innovation while ensuring the safety and efficiency of financial infrastructure.