ECB Selects 36 Firms For Digital Euro Pilot

The European Central Bank has named 36 banks and payment companies for a 12-month digital euro pilot starting in the second half of 2027. More than 50 providers applied for places in the controlled payments trial.

Good To Know

• The beta digital euro will not hold legal tender status.
• Tests will cover online, offline, retail, mobile and person-to-person payments.
• The ECB has not yet approved a public digital euro launch.

Real Payments Take Priority

Central bank employees will test the beta currency at shops, restaurants and online merchants. Offline transfers will use NFC, allowing two nearby devices to exchange funds without an internet connection.

Some providers will open accounts and process consumer payments. Others will help merchants accept the digital euro through e-commerce systems and software-based payment terminals. Several firms will handle both roles.

“The strong market interest in the pilot shows the private sector’s readiness to engage actively and quickly advance with the digital euro project to strengthen the European payments landscape,” ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone said.

The ECB will run the trial with 19 national central banks. Participating countries include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Finland. A wider public launch could follow in 2029, but only after EU lawmakers approve the required regulation and the ECB makes a final decision.

Complete Digital Euro Pilot Company List

The group combines large banks, digital banks and payment processors, including Deutsche Bank, UniCredit, Revolut, Stripe, Adyen, SumUp and Worldline. Providers will fund their own participation and cannot charge pilot users or merchants.

Privacy remains one of the main public concerns around central bank digital currencies. The ECB says the pilot will test usability, scale and security, while existing EU payment, data protection and anti-money laundering rules will continue to apply.