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BTC 
ETH European Central Bank extends olive branch to merchants: Digital Euro pilot program officially launched
Starting from September 15, the European Central Bank (ECB) has begun accepting applications from e-commerce and mobile payment companies to test the "digital euro". The pilot project will be launched in the second half of 2027 and will last for 12 months. At that time, merchants, banks, payment service providers and members of the euro zone system will participate. If the European legislative framework is passed, the potential issuance target for digital euros remains set for 2029.
Summary of Key Information
- The deadline for merchants to submit applications is October 27, 2026.
- The pilot project will start in the second half of 2027 and last for one year.
- The European Central Bank has selected 36 payment service providers to participate in the preliminary preparations.
From technical verification to real transaction: pilot enters a new phase
The project achieved its first milestone in July. After receiving more than 50 applications, the European Central Bank screened out 36 payment service providers. Since then, banks and non-bank institutions have been preparing the necessary infrastructure for the pilot.
Today, merchants have become the missing key link. The ECB is currently targeting companies that sell goods through online or mobile apps in the euro zone. Candidates must submit their applications before 5 p.m. Central European Time, which is before October 27. In addition, an information briefing has been scheduled for October 6.
Selected companies must use a beta version of the digital euro to accept payments and work with one of the approved service providers in the eurozone system. The European Central Bank will focus on examining the market influence, operational capabilities and technical strength of these companies to integrate new payment methods.
This means that testing will no longer be limited to code-level verification, but will involve real-life purchasing behavior. Merchants need to receive payments and may even process refund requests. The team will check areas where problems may occur through actual processes.
Twelve-month payment, transfer and refund exercise
This pilot aims to replicate future digital euro usage scenarios as accurately as possible. Plans cover multiple scenarios, including in-store payments, remote shopping, and transfers between individuals. The participants included 36 service providers, selected merchants, and employees of the European Central Bank and 19 national central banks.
The currency used is a beta version. The European Central Bank clearly pointed out in its FAQs that the online version used during the pilot period is legally regarded as scriptural money under the current payment service framework. It is neither a coin nor a paper currency, nor is it deposited directly in an account of the European Central Bank.
This is crucial because 2027 is not the official release date for the digital euro, but just a test year. The relevant timetable has been widely known for several months.
欧洲央行的主要目的是收集实验室环境难以提供的数据：包括完成支付所需的时间、集成过程中遇到的问题、用户旅程体验、业务处理效率以及商户的反馈。
稳定币的发展滞后于欧洲节奏
数字欧元并非加密货币，而是中央银行发行的货币。然而，将其与私人数字资产进行比较在欧洲讨论中屡见不鲜。
今年5月，欧洲央行行长克里斯蒂娜·拉加德指出，全球稳定币市场规模已超过3000亿美元，而六年前这一数字不到100亿美元。根据欧洲央行引用的数据，绝大多数稳定币以美元计价，且近90%的市场份额由Tether和Circle两家机构控制。
对外部基础设施的依赖也令法兰克福方面感到担忧。欧洲央行数据显示，欧元区近三分之二的银行卡交易通过非欧洲公司进行。
这场辩论伴随数字欧元项目已有数年之久。对于2029年的前景，并非一切水到渠成。欧洲央行表示，如果欧洲法规获得通过，他们希望在技术上准备好在该年进行首次发行。但关于是否真正发行数字欧元的最终决定将在稍后作出。在此之前，必须观察测试版在实际收银台、在线购物车以及普通消费者支付场景中的表现如何。
