Piero Cipollone
Italian economist
Photo: © European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- Sep 21
ECB launches Pontes platform to settle tokenized securities in central bank money
The European Central Bank began live operations of its Pontes system on 21 September 2026, enabling commercial banks to settle tokenized wholesale transactions with central bank money and confirming plans to invest its own reserves in tokenized debt.
- Jul 24
ECB opens public vote on new euro banknote designs, first full redesign since 2002
Ten designs across two themes, European culture and rivers & birds, are up for public consultation until 21 September 2026, ahead of the first full redesign since the euro's launch in 2002.
- Jul 24
ECB unveils 10 candidate designs for first full euro banknote redesign since 2002, opens public survey until 21 September
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde presented 10 proposed designs for a new series of euro banknotes on 23 July 2026, drawn from two themes: 'European culture' and 'Rivers and birds'. A public online survey runs until 21 September 2026.
- Jul 23
ECB unveils finalist designs for new euro banknotes with da Vinci, Beethoven, Callas; public vote open until 21 September
The European Central Bank presented 10 finalist designs for the next series of euro banknotes on 23 July, launching a public consultation that runs until 21 September. The proposals feature cultural icons like Leonardo da Vinci and Maria Callas, or rivers and birds.