The European Central Bank has initiated a selection process for e-commerce and mobile commerce firms within the eurozone to participate in the digital euro pilot. Selected merchants will test the CBDC integration in online stores and applications, although the currency will not hold legal tender status during the trial.
The pilot program is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2027 and will run for 12 months. Participants will provide feedback on system performance and operational processes. The test group of buyers will consist of employees from the ECB and participating national central banks, covering P2P transfers and retail payments.
Previously, in July, the ECB selected 36 financial entities for testing, including Deutsche Bank, Revolut, Stripe, UniCredit, Adyen, SumUp, and Worldline. Participation in the merchant pilot is voluntary and unpaid, with selection criteria based on market reach and operational readiness.
The ECB aims to prepare for a potential CBDC launch by 2029. However, the final decision remains contingent upon the approval of EU legislation and a formal vote by the ECB Governing Council. Executive board member Piero Cipollone has stated that the system is designed to ensure a high level of user privacy.
