ECB Sets 2026 Timeline for Digital Euro Pilot
The post ECB Sets 2026 Timeline for Digital Euro Pilot appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Fintech The European Central Bank is moving its digital euro project into a more concrete phase, outlining a detailed roadmap that stretches from partner selection in 2026 to a potential public launch by the end of the decade. Key Takeaways The European Central Bank will begin selecting payment providers in March 2026. EU lawmakers aim to finalize the legal framework by late 2026, with pilot testing starting in the second half of 2027. A public launch of the digital euro is targeted for 2029. Holding limits and privacy protections will be built into the system. Executive Board member Piero Cipollone confirmed that the process of selecting Payment Service Providers will begin in early 2026, marking a key operational step for the initiative. A formal call for expression of interest is scheduled for March 2026, inviting licensed EU payment institutions to participate in the next stage of testing. The announcement signals that the project is transitioning from research to implementation planning. Legislative And Pilot Timeline The digital euro’s development is tied closely to the EU’s legislative process. According to the ECB’s projected schedule, EU co-legislators aim to adopt the final legal framework by late 2026. If approved on time, a 12-month pilot phase will begin in the second half of 2027 within a controlled testing environment. The ECB is targeting 2029 as the earliest possible date for a public rollout, assuming technical testing and legal approvals proceed without delays. Momentum behind the project increased on February 10, 2026, when the European Parliament voted in favor of advancing both online and offline versions of the digital euro. The vote represents a significant political endorsement and brings the framework closer to completion. How The Pilot Will Work The pilot phase will involve a limited group of Payment Service Providers, selected merchants, and Eurosystem…
Filed under: News - @ February 18, 2026 6:21 pm