Call for Online and Mobile Merchants to Participate in Digital Euro Pilot (ECB)
The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched a call for expression of interest inviting e-commerce and mobile commerce merchants operating in the euro area to take part in the 12-month digital euro pilot expected to start in the second half of 2027. The call follows the selection of payment service providers (PSPs) to participate in the pilot. Selected merchants will test a beta instrument—without legal-tender status—in remote-commerce payment journeys, operational processes, and integration with acquiring payment service providers (PSPs), and their feedback will inform technical specifications and merchant-facing design. Participation is voluntary and unpaid, requires an agreement with the ECB and an acquiring PSP, and applicants will be assessed on market reach, readiness, and suitability. Applications close October 27, 2026. (ECB)
BTW if you want to see a complete database of my DFC-related posts going back years, including many that didn’t make the Daily Digest cut, click here.
FYI I produce a monthly digest of digital fiat currency (DFC) developments exclusively for the official sector (e.g., central banks, ministries of finance and international financial institution (e.g., the BIS, IMF, OECD, World Bank)) plus academics and firms that are active in the DFC space (commercial banks, technology providers, consultants, etc.). (DFCs include central bank digital currency (CBDC), stablecoins and tokenized deposits.) It goes out via email on the first business day of every month, and if you’re interested in being on the mailing list, please email me at john@kiffmeister.com.
