In the light of the greater use of e-payment methods and EU’s digital transition, digital euro could support the EU’s digital finance and retail payment strategies utilising its potential to be an additional, innovative, and safe means of payment. As such, digital euro could promote accessibility and financial inclusion, while facilitating the development of pan-European and interoperable payment solutions which would increase resilience and financial stability of EU’s ever-digitising economy.

Digital euro is envisaged as a central bank digital currency (CBDC), available free of charge to everyone and complementing existing banknotes and coins. It would be stored in an electronic wallet set up with a bank or a public intermediary, allowing efficient and safe e-payment. It would also strengthen monetary sovereignty of the euro area and foster competitiveness of the European payment sector.

The European Central Bank (ECB) launched public consultations on setting-up digital euro as a CBDC in 2020, followed by a legislative proposal initiated by the Commission in 2023. The ECB Board decided to move to the experimental phase in late 2023, while the legislative proposal is currently subject to scrutiny by the co-legislators.

For further information on Deutsche Börse Group’s positioning on the matter, find our statements and position papers under Publications.