The pilot program will evaluate a beta version of the digital euro for various payment methods, with ECB and central bank personnel participating as users.
By Francisco Rodrigues|Edited by Sheldon Reback Jul 14, 2026, 12:10 p.m. 2 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on The European Central Bank Building. (ECB Press)SummaryShow- The ECB has chosen 36 companies, including Deutsche Bank and Revolut, for a 12-month digital euro pilot set to commence in the latter half of 2027.
- This pilot will assess a beta version of the digital euro for various payment scenarios, with ECB and central bank staff participating.
- The ECB is targeting potential issuance by 2029, contingent upon legislative approval and Governing Council consent.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced the selection of 36 banks and payment companies to participate in a digital euro pilot, which is slated to begin in the second half of next year as it moves closer to the potential launch of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2029.
This group, chosen from 50 candidates, features prominent names like Adyen, Deutsche Bank, Revolut, SumUp, UniCredit, and Worldline, as noted by the ECB on its official site.
Though the necessary legislation for the currency has not yet been finalized, the central bank is advancing with the initiative due to concerns over the growing adoption of private dollar-pegged stablecoins, such as Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC, which are perceived as a threat to Europe’s monetary independence.
The pilot program will last for 12 months and will evaluate a beta version of the digital euro across the ECB and the 19 national central banks in the eurozone. It will include online and offline transactions between individuals, in-store payments, as well as e-commerce transactions.
While this currency will not have official legal status, it will closely align with the design proposed in draft EU legislation. ECB staff and employees from national central banks will act as consumers, with selected restaurants, cafes, and online retailers facilitating payments during the testing phase.
Some critics have raised concerns regarding CBDCs, particularly regarding privacy and potential restrictions on access to the currency by central banks. Reflecting these worries, a new law in the U.S. took effect last month, prohibiting the Federal Reserve from establishing a digital dollar until December 31, 2030.
In contrast, the European initiative is progressing into operational testing while EU legislators continue to work on the necessary legal framework. Recently, a committee in the European Parliament moved forward with the proposed legislation.
The ultimate decision to launch a digital euro hinges on the passage of this legislation and a separate decision by the ECB Governing Council. The ECB has indicated that it could be prepared for potential issuance as soon as 2029.
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By CoinDesk ResearchJul 13, 2026CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Why it matters:
CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
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