ECB Taps Merchants for Digital Euro Pilot

The European Central Bank (ECB) is taking another step closer to launching its digital euro by recruiting online and mobile merchants for its forthcoming pilot project. The 12-month pilot, scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, will test how a central bank digital currency could operate within Europe's everyday payments ecosystem.

The ECB has invited e-commerce and m-commerce businesses to participate in the pilot, which will use a beta version of the digital euro in a controlled environment. The exercise will examine payment functionality, operational processes, and the experience for consumers and merchants. Participating merchants will act as business end-users, accepting beta digital euro transactions and providing feedback on checkout experiences, operational processes, and technical functionality.

The wider pilot will also test person-to-person and person-to-business payments, including online and offline transactions. Eurosystem staff will act as consumers, making payments at selected cafeterias, restaurants, and online shops. The ECB has identified four objectives for the pilot: testing readiness before scaling, improving the digital euro proposition, refining its go-to-market strategy, and preparing for a possible subsequent rollout.