ECB Sets Digital Euro Launch Target for 2029, Pilots from 2027
The European Central Bank unveiled a comprehensive digital euro roadmap on December 9, 2025, scheduling pilot trials in 2027 with the aim of first issuance by 2029. The plan frames the digital euro as a complement to physical cash, designed to modernize retail payments while giving Europe more control over core payment infrastructure and standards.
The timeline signals a concrete push for monetary and technological sovereignty amid rising private stablecoin use and global competition. For banks, wallets and payment providers the roadmap clarifies development windows and regulatory coordination ahead of pilots. Markets should watch pilot design choices—privacy, offline functionality, and interoperability—which will determine how the digital euro affects everyday payments, cross-border transactions and the broader European fintech landscape.