On September 15, the European Central Bank (ECB) opened applications for e-commerce and mobile commerce companies operating in the eurozone to participate in the digital euro pilot. Selected sellers will be able to accept a test version of the CBDC in online stores and apps.
The test version will be technically and functionally similar to the digital euro proposed in legislation but will not have legal tender status. Companies will be able to test CBDC integration into existing payment processes and provide feedback to the ECB on the system’s performance.
Participation is voluntary and unpaid. The regulator will consider market reach, operational readiness, and suitability for testing when selecting participants.
The pilot will begin in the second half of 2027 and last for 12 months. The ECB aims to assess the system’s technical performance, operational processes, and user experience.
ECB staff and participating national central banks will act as buyers. The tests will include peer-to-peer transfers, payments at retail locations, online stores, and mobile apps.
In July, the ECB selected 36 banks and payment companies to participate in the trials, including Deutsche Bank, Revolut, Stripe, UniCredit, Adyen, SumUp, and Worldline.
The regulator aims to prepare for a potential CBDC launch in 2029. However, a final decision will only be made after the approval of relevant EU legislation and a separate vote by the ECB’s Governing Council.
In August, ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone promised “the highest level of privacy” for the digital euro. According to him, the system will not be able to directly link users to their transactions.
