ECB Invites Merchants to Test Digital Euro Payments

The European Central Bank (ECB) has invited merchants to participate in a digital euro pilot project, which will begin in the second half of 2027. The pilot aims to evaluate user experience, technical performance, and operational steps needed for the currency as a form of payment.

Selected businesses will enable beta digital euro payments within their online checkout processes, allowing the ECB to study how the currency might work in real remote commerce settings. The version of the digital euro used in the pilot will be almost similar to the one highlighted in the draft EU legislation, but it will not have legal tender status during the test period.

The 12-month trial is scheduled to start in the second half of 2027 and will also include the ECB itself along with the 19 national central banks in the EU. Central bank staff would act as users during testing, trying out online and offline transfers.