The European Central Bank (ECB) continued its work on the digital euro. In fact, the institution launched calls for applications on Wednesday in order to structure its integration into vending machines and payment terminals. Thus, this step marks a concrete step forward in the development of the project.
In brief
- The ECB has launched calls for applications to recruit experts to supervise the development of the digital euro.
- Two working groups focus on integration into vending machines and payment certification.
- The project aims to establish common rules for the use of the digital euro across the euro area.
- A digital euro pilot project is planned for 2027, but its issuance still depends on the European legislative framework.
The ECB launches applications to supervise the development of the digital euro
The European Central Bank is opening calls for applications to recruit experts. The latter participate in two working groups responsible for continuing the development of the regulation relating to the digital euro.
In a press release published On Wednesday, the ECB indicated that these groups report to the Regulation Development Group, which includes consumers, merchants and payment service providers. Thus, this framework aims to integrate different actors into the project.
Furthermore, the regulation must establish common rules, standards and procedures for using the digital euro in the euro area. Finally, eligible candidates can submit their file to the ECB before April 10, 2026.
Work on digital euro targets ATMs and payment certification
According to the ECB press release, the areas of work target the development of the digital euro rulebook (RDG). Thus, this work is organized around two groups responsible for defining precise technical and operational aspects.
On the one hand, the G5 working group will focus on specifications for ATM and terminal providers. More precisely, it will examine and develop regulatory proposals on the technical specifications of this equipment.
Indeed, its work focuses on communication technologies, offline integration of the digital euro and existing standards. Therefore, participants must have expertise in interfacing or providing ATMs and terminals.
On the other hand, working group B1 will deal with the certification and accreditation framework. It will develop proposals on testing and certification of payment and acceptance solutions.
Additionally, it will analyze the infrastructure used by payment service providers in the digital euro ecosystem. Thus, experts must master payment devices and acceptance systems to contribute to this work according to the conditions set by the ECB.
A digital euro pilot project is planned by the ECB for 2027
The ECB had also planned a pilot project lasting 12 months, starting in the second half of 2027. This test was to involve a limited number of Eurosystem actors, in particular payment service providers (PSPs) approved by the European Union.
For his part, Piero Cipollone, member of the ECB executive board, declared during the meeting of the executive committee of the Italian Banking Association last February that this phase should make it possible to evaluate the conditions of use of the digital euro. Thus, the expected results were to guide technical and organizational adjustments.
In conclusion, the ECB continued the development of the project by combining technical work, regulatory supervision and preparation of tests. However, the decision of the ECB Governing Council to issue a digital euro remains conditional on the adoption of the European legislative framework.
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