In a November 5, 2026 speech, the European Central Bank said it had selected 36 payment service providers from more than 50 applicants for a planned digital euro pilot. It expects the pilot to start in the second half of 2027 and run for 12 months.
The selection does not approve a digital euro for public use. Political negotiations are ongoing, and the ECB’s potential 2029 issuance target depends on legislation being completed on the expected timetable and on a later decision to issue it.
