The Eurosystem began selecting euro area companies that provide goods and services online to participate in pilot testing of the digital euro (CBDC).
The European Central Bank (ECB) and euro area national central banks opened applications for e-commerce and m-commerce merchants interested in participating in the digital euro pilot. Selected companies will gain access to a test payment environment and will be able to test accepting the CBDC for online payments for goods and services.
The pilot will use a beta version of the digital euro that closely reflects the technical features and functionality envisioned under the proposed EU legislation. However, the funds used in the testing won’t have legal tender status.
The Eurosystem plans to test the technical functionality of the payment infrastructure, operational processes, and user experience. The trials will involve employees of Eurosystem central banks, payment service providers (PSPs) selected earlier, and merchants.
During the pilot, selected companies will be able to:
- conduct transactions using the beta version of the digital euro under conditions close to real-world use;
- test the customer journey from selecting a payment method through transaction completion;
- assess the integration of the digital euro into existing payment processes;
- interact with other pilot participants and analyze the user experience;
- provide the Eurosystem with feedback on integration, operational procedures, and merchant needs.
Under the initiative, merchants will act as business users and accept online payments using the digital euro. The ECB plans to use the results to inform the further development of the digital currency’s technical specifications, payment scenarios, and user interface.
Participation in the project is voluntary and unpaid. Selected companies will need to sign a participation agreement with the ECB and establish or adapt contractual arrangements with one of the participating PSPs acting as an acquirer.
When reviewing applications, the ECB will consider compliance with mandatory requirements, including market coverage, the company’s operational readiness, and its suitability for the pilot. Applications will close on October 27, 2026. The ECB will also hold an information session for prospective participants covering the testing conditions and application process.
The final decision on whether to issue the digital euro hasn’t yet been made. The ECB is currently developing standards and regulatory rules for the CBDC, with a focus on maximizing user privacy. Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) approved accessibility requirements for the future digital euro. However, the project isn’t expected to achieve technical readiness for a potential launch before 2029.
