The European Central Bank has declared its technical work on a digital euro complete, shifting the project’s fate to the political arena of the European Union. With systems built and safeguards defined, the ECB now awaits legislative authorization from the European Council and Parliament for a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed to fortify monetary sovereignty against the rising tide of private stablecoins and shifting U.S. crypto policy.
about ECB Ready for Digital Euro, Awaits EU Legislative ApprovalPiero Cipollone
0 posts last weekDigital Euro Launch Delayed to 2029, ECB Confirms
The European Central Bank’s ambitious digital euro project faces a significant timeline revision, with a launch now projected for mid-2029. ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone confirmed the substantial delay during the Bloomberg Future of Finance event in Frankfurt, marking a notable shift from the initiative’s original 2020 introduction. This postponement underscores the complex regulatory, technical, and political hurdles confronting the European Union’s flagship central bank digital currency (CBDC) as it navigates the diverse financial landscape of its member states.
about Digital Euro Launch Delayed to 2029, ECB ConfirmsECB Pushes Digital Euro Amid Lawmaker Privacy, Bank Fears
The European Central Bank (ECB) has reiterated its case for a digital euro, emphasizing its role as a universally accepted, free digital payment method that would remain functional even during major disruptions. ECB board member Piero Cipollone presented these arguments to the EU Parliament’s economic committee, highlighting resilience and accessibility. Despite these assurances, lawmakers expressed significant concerns about inadequate privacy protections and the risk of the central bank-backed digital currency undermining private commercial banks by drawing deposits away from them.
about ECB Pushes Digital Euro Amid Lawmaker Privacy, Bank FearsECB Digital Euro: Boosting Payment Resilience & Inclusion
The European Central Bank’s digital euro initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s payment infrastructure against cyber threats and physical disruptions while promoting financial inclusion. ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone highlighted vulnerabilities in current systems, citing incidents like undersea cable sabotage and power outages that risk transaction continuity. The digital euro would provide a public payment rail alongside private solutions, with features such as multi-region processing, an ECB-run app for cyber resilience, and offline peer-to-peer payment capabilities. Additionally, the ECB is designing adaptive interfaces—including voice commands and large-font displays—to accommodate over 30 million visually impaired and 34 million hearing-impaired citizens, alongside support through local institutions like post offices and libraries.
about ECB Digital Euro: Boosting Payment Resilience & InclusionEU Eyes Ethereum, Solana for Digital Euro Launch
The European Central Bank is actively exploring public blockchains including Ethereum and Solana for its digital euro project, marking a significant policy shift toward technological neutrality. This initiative responds to concerns about the euro’s diminishing role in digital payments amid U.S. stablecoin dominance. The ECB’s preparation phase runs through October 2025, involving rulebook drafting, user research, and testing with 70 market participants. While no architecture has been selected, the exploration of public chains represents a potential distribution model that could interface with existing wallets and tokenized assets. The project remains contingent on EU legislation, with external timelines suggesting a political deal no earlier than 2026. Privacy, holding limits, and offline usability remain key design constraints under ongoing ECB workstreams.
about EU Eyes Ethereum, Solana for Digital Euro LaunchECB Vows to Keep Cash Amid Digital Euro Push
The ECB insists that cash will remain central to Europe’s payment systems despite the upcoming digital euro, which is designed to complement—not replace—physical money. Cipollone highlights concerns over private stablecoins, particularly those pegged to foreign currencies like the US dollar, gaining unchecked influence in cross-border transactions. While the digital euro aims to offer a secure, regulated alternative, public interest remains low, with surveys showing Europeans still prefer cash and traditional bank deposits. Analysts call for global stablecoin regulations to prevent dominance by dollar-linked coins, emphasizing the need for coordinated oversight. The ECB’s strategy balances innovation with stability, ensuring accessibility for all Europeans, whether in urban or rural areas.
about ECB Vows to Keep Cash Amid Digital Euro PushECB’s Digital Euro to Complement Cash, Not Replace It
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone clarified that the digital euro is designed to complement, not replace, physical cash, reinforcing Europe’s payment autonomy. As private digital currencies and stablecoins gain popularity, the ECB remains committed to keeping public money—both digital and physical—central to the financial ecosystem. Cipollone assured that banknotes and coins will continue to play a vital role, even as the digital euro progresses.
about ECB's Digital Euro to Complement Cash, Not Replace ItTrump threatens tariffs on BRICS as Russia denies currency challenge
Russia has dismissed Donald Trump’s threat of 100% tariffs on BRICS nations, asserting that the group is not pursuing a common currency to rival the US dollar. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that BRICS focuses on investment projects rather than currency competition, despite ongoing discussions about a gold-backed currency for trade. Trump’s warnings reflect his stance against any efforts to diminish the dollar’s dominance in global trade.
about Trump threatens tariffs on BRICS as Russia denies currency challengeIOTA Founder Critiques EU’s Digital Euro and Blockchain Adoption Challenges
IOTA’s founder, Dominik Schiener, has criticized the European Central Bank’s digital euro proposal for its slow adoption of blockchain technology, warning that Europe risks falling behind in the global tech race. He advocates for prioritizing blockchain and decentralized currencies to enhance financial freedom, as other regions advance rapidly with their digital currencies. Meanwhile, the ECB faces pressure to launch the digital euro amid concerns from banks about losing customers to digital wallets.
about IOTA Founder Critiques EU's Digital Euro and Blockchain Adoption ChallengesECB urged to accelerate digital euro in response to US stablecoin growth
ECB board member Piero Cipollone has called for an expedited launch of a digital euro in response to President Trump’s initiative promoting dollar-backed stablecoins, which he argues threaten traditional banking systems. Cipollone highlighted that the rise of stablecoins could lead to disintermediation of banks, prompting the need for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to maintain the Eurozone’s financial competitiveness. The ECB is currently exploring the digital euro concept, pending legislative approval.
about ECB urged to accelerate digital euro in response to US stablecoin growth