The European Central Bank (ECB) has chosen 36 banks and payment companies for its digital euro pilot, a key move toward testing the central bank digital currency before making a final decision. The pilot will run for a year starting in the second half of 2027, using a beta version of the digital euro to test real-world payments. The ECB is still aiming for a possible public launch around 2029.
Over 50 organizations applied to join the program, but only 36 were chosen based on eligibility and to ensure broad representation across the euro area.
36 payment service providers from across the euro area have been selected for the digital euro pilot.
Starting in the second half of 2027, the 12-month exercise to test the digital euro’s features will take place at the ECB and 19 national central banks https://t.co/B88b6doEza pic.twitter.com/9MC1OJydRi
— European Central Bank (@ecb) July 14, 2026
The selected group includes major financial institutions and payment companies like Deutsche Bank, Revolut, UniCredit, Adyen, SumUp, and Worldline. The pilot will bring together the ECB and 19 national central banks, letting staff use beta digital euro accounts for daily transactions.
The pilot will test a wide range of payment situations, such as person-to-person transfers, in-store and online purchases, mobile payments, and offline transactions. Restaurants, cafeterias, and online merchants will join in to create realistic commercial settings.
The ECB explained that the beta version will look much like the planned final design, but it won’t be legal tender during testing. The goal is to assess technical performance, operations, and user experience before deciding on a full launch.
The central bank sees this project as a key move to strengthen Europe’s control over its payment systems. Officials have often voiced concerns about the rising influence of private dollar-backed stablecoins and global payment networks, saying Europe needs more control over its own payment infrastructure.
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone welcomed the strong industry response, saying it demonstrates broad private-sector interest in supporting a secure, efficient and inclusive digital euro ecosystem.
Even with the project’s progress, legislative approval is still needed before the digital euro can launch. European lawmakers are still discussing the legal framework, and the ECB Governing Council will decide on issuing the CBDC after the legislation and pilot are finished.
The 2027 pilot should offer useful insights into how a digital euro might work alongside cash, commercial bank money, and private digital assets. This will help Europe decide the future role of central bank digital currency in its financial system.
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