ECB Prepares Digital Euro for a Future Where Machines Make Payments

The European Central Bank (ECB) is taking steps to prepare the digital euro for an economy where machines may play a significant role in transactions. To explore this concept, the ECB has opened a call for applications from companies capable of experimenting with AI agents, micropayments, and machine-to-machine interactions.

The initiative aims to test various uses of the digital euro, including AI-assisted payment experiences, interactions between AI agents, and micropayments. The ECB also plans to study the use of the digital euro in transport, public services, smart cities, and automation of certain public sector operations.

Applications for the program are open until November 9, 2026, with work set to begin in the first half of 2027. The experiments will take the form of workshops at the ECB's premises in Frankfurt during the first two quarters of 2027.