European Central Bank Invites Merchants for Digital Euro Pilot Starting 2027

The European Central Bank has invited merchants to participate in a 12-month digital euro pilot starting in the second half of 2027. The pilot aims to test online, mobile, in-store, and person-to-person payments using a beta currency that will not be legal tender.

The selected merchants will work alongside 19 euro-area national central banks and 36 banks and payment firms already chosen for the testing program. They will participate in testing various payment types expected to form part of a possible retail digital euro, including person-to-person transfers, physical store payments, online purchases, and mobile-commerce transactions.

The ECB is targeting possible digital euro issuance in 2029, subject to EU legislation and a separate decision by its Governing Council. The central bank has already been working on how merchants and payment providers could prepare their systems before the final issuance decision.