ECB Invites Fintechs to Test Digital Euro Features

The European Central Bank (ECB) has invited fintech companies and payment service providers to test features for the digital euro, including AI-enabled payments and machine-to-machine interactions.

The initiative will take place in two workstreams: experimentation and exploration. The experimentation activities are expected to run from January through June 2027, allowing private-sector participants to develop and test new features and services intended to improve the digital euro experience for consumers and merchants.

Participants will be asked to develop practical solutions and submit a proof of concept and an outcome report. The ECB may later invite selected participants to present their results and could publish key findings from the work.