The European Central Bank (ECB) accepts tokenized assets on blockchains as collateral.

A more detailed overview of blockchains. European Central Bank (ECB) just made an announcement that marks a step forward in the integration of distributed ledger technologies ( DLT ) in the European financial system Within two months, the Eurosystem will accept tokenized assets on blockchains as collateral for their credit operations. Here’s how.

Key points of this article:

• The European Central Bank has announced the integration of distributed ledger technologies into the European financial system.
• Tokenized assets on blockchains will be accepted as collateral for Eurosystem credit operations from March 30.

A step forward from the ECB in favor of tokenized assets on blockchains According to the press release of the European central bank, published on 27 January 2026, the ECB acknowledges that assets, issued through central securities depositories ( TsDP ) and using services based on DLT (distributed ledger technologies) can now be used as collateral for credit operations of the Eurosystem. It will take effect from March 30 .

However, these assets should will meet already existing eligibility criteria in particular with regard to settlements in systems that comply with CSD rules and are accessible via TARGET2-Securities ( T2S ).

“The Eurosystem will continue to align its system of safeguards (…) with technological progress in financial markets and support the implementation of innovative solutions, adhering to the principles of adequacy of safeguards, security, efficiency and equal treatment.”

Excerpt from the press release of the European Central Bank

Towards a gradual integration of digital assets? And the heads of central banks of the ECB do not stop there. They are also considering exploring pathways distribution of law for assets fully issued and settled directly on distributed ledger (DLT) networks. It was launched ” work plan ” to determine how these assets, which are not yet represented in the relevant securities settlement systems, can be used as collateral in the future.

“(…) The Eurosystem has launched an ambitious work plan to determine whether, how and according to which criteria, assets issued using DLT technology (…) can become eligible and mobilized in the future under Eurosystem guarantees. (…) A phased approach is envisaged (…) with subsets of DLT-based assets that can gradually become eligible and mobilized. (…)”

Excerpt from the press release of the European Central Bank

The decision of the ECB to take initial tokenized assets (by RWA tokenization) as the provision marks a turning point in the integration of blockchain technology into the European financial system. Thanks to cryptocurrency networks, the Eurosystem was able to improve the efficiency of their markets (speed, cost, etc.) and bring them fully into the digital age. In addition, this initiative paves the way for wider implementation digital assets within the European monetary policy.