ECB selects 36 providers for digital euro pilot launching 2027
In brief
- ECB selected 36 payment providers from 50+ applicants for digital euro pilot testing
- Stripe, Revolut, Deutsche Bank, and UniCredit among chosen fintech and traditional bank participants
- Italy leads with 7 providers; Germany 5; Portugal and Greece 3 each
- 12-month pilot begins H2 2027 with ECB and 19 eurozone central banks
Digital Euro Trial Takes Shape
The 12-month pilot is set to begin in the second half of 2027 and will involve the ECB and the central banks of 19 bloc-members, including Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. The geographic distribution of participants reflects the eurozone's diversity. Italy leads with seven selected companies joining the pilot, including UniCredit. Germany follows with five selected providers, while Portugal and Greece each have three.
Selected providers will take on different roles during the trial. Some will focus on supporting user access to beta digital euro services, while others will help merchants accept payments. This division of responsibilities ensures the pilot can test both consumer and merchant adoption pathways.
ECB's Vision for a Digital Euro
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone chairs the high-level task force overseeing the digital euro initiative. In a statement, Cipollone said: "We look forward to deeper engagement as we work with and learn alongside European payment service providers in developing a secure, efficient and inclusive digital euro."
The selection process drew interest from a broad range of payment companies across the eurozone. The ECB's decision to include both established fintech platforms and traditional banking institutions signals an intention to test how digital euros might integrate into existing payment ecosystems while also exploring new delivery channels.
The pilot represents a critical step in the ECB's broader digital euro project, which aims to ensure the eurozone has a modern payment infrastructure for the digital age.
