ECB Considers Second-Half 2029 Launch for Digital Euro

The European Central Bank is considering introducing the digital euro in the second half of 2029, with the proposed launch covering online purchases, some physical retail payments and direct transfers between individuals.

The digital euro would be designed for use at all online stores in the euro area and at some physical retail stores. Person-to-person transfers would also be available from launch under the proposal.

Physical-store payments and transfers between individuals would support both online and offline transactions. Physical retail payments were not included in the earlier initial launch plan.

The proposal would expand the potential digital euro rollout across online, offline and peer-to-peer payments from the start. The ECB has not issued the digital currency.

The initiative follows the ECB’s work to prepare a public digital payment option for the euro area. The central bank previously selected 36 payment service providers for a 12-month pilot planned for the second half of 2027, as outlined in earlier digital euro coverage.

A potential issuance would require European Union legislation, followed by a decision from the ECB.