- The ECB has stepped up preparations towards launching the digital euro.
- The innovation call focuses on developing and testing prototype payment features.
- A separate merchant pilot will test a beta version of the digital euro in a controlled environment.
The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Eurosystem have launched “Calls for Expressions of Interest” as part of the preparations for the potential introduction of a digital euro. The process requires private companies and organizations to collaborate with the government to explore how the digital euro can foster innovation.
New Wave of Digital Euro Innovation Activities
The innovation-focused call, titled the “New Wave of Digital Euro Innovation Activities”, launched on September 28, 2026, with a November 9, 2026 deadline. It targets merchants, payment service providers (PSPs), tech providers, fintech firms, consumer associations, research institutes, and public entities.
After gathering input from the target audience, Eurosystem will begin hands-on development of prototype features, such as e-receipts, multi-party transactions, conditional payments, and payment app tools. This experimentation workstream is scheduled for January to June 2027.
The second workstream will focus on exploration, spanning Q1-Q2 2027, and will involve on-site workshops at the ECB, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) payments, agentic transactions, micropayments, and public service integrations.
In a separate initiative, the ECB is also running an “E-Commerce and Mobile Commerce Merchant Pilot.” This call started on September 15, with an application timeline that runs until October 27, 2026. The ECB invites online and mobile merchants to integrate and test a “beta version” of the digital euro in a controlled environment.
The program targets e-commerce and mobile commerce merchants operating within the euro area. According to the ECB, selected merchants will act as business end-users for a 12-month live pilot scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027. The ECB will hold an online informational briefing for merchants involved in the program on October 6, 2026.
The Eurosystem says these initiatives are designed to test how a digital euro could be used in real-world scenarios while allowing participants to help shape its technical design. The program also gives companies an opportunity to experiment with new payment solutions ahead of any potential rollout.
Related: Italy Pushes Near-Zero Fees for Digital Euro Payments Under €10
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