The European Central Bank has launched a new phase of its digital euro innovation platform, inviting fintech companies and payment organizations to participate. The initiative focuses on exploring AI-driven payment solutions and machine-to-machine interactions within the digital currency framework.
The program is split into two tracks: hands-on testing and workshops. The testing phase will run from January to June 2027, focusing on prototypes for conditional payments, e-receipts, and multiparty transactions. Workshops will cover public service applications and micropayments.
Selected participants will present their findings at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt. These results are expected to influence future development of the digital euro, which is intended to function as a retail central bank digital currency alongside physical cash.
Separately, the ECB has already chosen 36 organizations, including Stripe, Revolut, and Deutsche Bank, for a 12-month pilot project scheduled to start in the second half of 2027. Any official issuance of the digital euro remains subject to EU legislation.
