Eurosystem Sets Appia Roadmap For Tokenised Financial Markets

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 18, 2026

The Eurosystem launched the Appia roadmap to develop a tokenised financial system based on central bank money. This initiative focuses on adapting wholesale financial markets to digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Strategic Vision For Digital Finance

Appia sets out a plan to combine input from public institutions, private companies and academic researchers. Its objective is to support the development of integrated tokenised markets across Europe. Covered processes include asset issuance, trading, settlement and custody within a unified structure.

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Leveraging Distributed Ledger Technology

Tokenisation involves converting financial assets into digital tokens using distributed ledger technology. Faster settlement, smart contract automation and potential cost reductions are among the expected outcomes. DLT is already used in areas such as digital payments and is being tested in broader financial market infrastructure.

Dual Initiatives: Appia And Pontes

Appia forms part of a wider strategy that includes two initiatives. Long-term infrastructure development is planned under this roadmap, with a final framework expected by 2028. Pontes is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2026 and will support settlement of DLT-based transactions using central bank money.

Leadership Insights And Policy Implications

Piero Cipollone said central bank money remains a key element of trust in financial systems. Reliability of privately issued money depends on its convertibility into central bank money, he noted. This relationship supports monetary policy transmission and financial stability across the euro area.

Ensuring Financial Sovereignty And Stability

By cementing the role of central bank money within a digitally transformed ecosystem, the Appia roadmap not only aims to enhance market efficiency but also to secure Europe’s financial sovereignty. This initiative is set to reduce systemic risks and ensure that the euro remains a cornerstone of international financial stability, even as new technologies redefine market dynamics.

A Blueprint For Europe’s Digital Future

With the final framework expected by 2028, the Appia initiative sets out a plan for developing a tokenised financial system in Europe. Ongoing cooperation with market participants and the adoption of common standards are expected to support the integration of digital technologies within the existing financial infrastructure.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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