The European Central Bank is recruiting experts to help draft rules for how a potential digital euro could function in everyday payments, focusing specifically on ATMs and in-store card payment terminals. This initiative comes as the digital euro project awaits political approval from the European Council and European Parliament and a potential decision by the ECB’s governing council to issue the currency. The bank aims for a possible rollout by 2029, creating a public digital payment system accessible to all eurozone residents while maintaining compatibility with existing financial infrastructure.
One workstream will define how payment devices process digital euro transactions, including supporting offline payments and ensuring compatibility with current payment standards. The goal is to allow citizens to use a digital euro at checkout or withdraw it from ATMs across the eurozone without friction. A second workstream will design a certification process for payment tools and infrastructure, establishing how providers test and approve systems to accept digital euro payments in stores and across payment networks, reinforcing security and interoperability standards.
ECB President Christine Lagarde noted that technical and preparatory work on the digital euro has been completed, and it is now up to political institutions to act. The central bank’s rulebook will serve as a guideline for device manufacturers, retailers, and banks, ensuring the digital euro can be safely and efficiently integrated into everyday financial transactions. The recruitment of experts aims to address both operational and regulatory considerations, bridging technology, compliance, and user experience in implementing a central bank digital currency.
While the ECB prepares its framework, a consortium of 12 European banks, including BBVA, ING, and PNB Paribas, is developing its own euro-pegged stablecoin under the Qivalis project, with plans for a 2026 rollout. The banks intend to offer blockchain-based payments without reliance on dollar-backed tokens, complementing the central bank’s efforts and demonstrating growing institutional interest in digital euro alternatives. The coexistence of public and private euro-linked digital assets highlights a broader trend toward innovation in retail and institutional payment solutions within Europe.
The digital euro project represents a significant step toward modernizing payment infrastructure and ensuring that central bank-issued digital currency can seamlessly integrate with existing ATMs and point-of-sale systems. By engaging experts early, the ECB is setting the foundation for secure, efficient, and widely accessible digital payments across the eurozone, providing a roadmap for both policymakers and industry stakeholders to prepare for the eventual launch.
