ECB seeks online merchants for 2027 digital euro pilot
Euro-area online and mobile merchants can apply until Oct. 27 to test beta digital euro payments in a 12-month pilot.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is seeking online and mobile merchants within the euro area to participate in a 12-month pilot for a digital euro, with applications open until October 27. The pilot, slated to commence in the second half of 2027, aims to assess the feasibility of integrating digital euro payments into remote commerce environments.
Selected merchants will enable beta digital euro payments and evaluate the currency's compatibility with checkout processes. The ECB emphasizes that the beta version will closely mirror the digital euro outlined in draft legislation but will not possess legal tender status. Participation is voluntary and without monetary compensation, with applicants evaluated based on market reach, operational readiness, and suitability.
The ECB has already chosen 36 payment service providers from over 50 applicants, including notable companies like Revolut, Stripe, Deutsche Bank, and UniCredit, each assigned specific roles in supporting user access or merchant acceptance. Merchant feedback from the pilot will inform design decisions, and a definitive decision on issuing a digital euro will only be made following the adoption of relevant EU legislation.
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