The European Central Bank (ECB) has set mid-2029 as the provisional date for launching the digital euro — an official central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed to serve as a secure, regulated counterpart to cash for everyday payments. The timeline was outlined by ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone, according to Minfin.
Roadmap
The digital euro project entered its “preparatory phase” at the end of 2023. This stage includes:
- Building the technology stack capable of handling large-scale transactional flows.
- Establishing a legal framework at the EU level to safeguard privacy and prevent money laundering.
- Market consultations, the results of which will define the currency’s final design by 2026.
Only once these steps are completed — and political approval is granted in Brussels — can the launch proceed.
Global Context
The ECB’s push comes amid a global wave of central bank digital currency initiatives. As of 2025, more than 130 countries are researching or piloting CBDCs. China leads the field: its digital yuan, introduced in 2020, has already processed transactions worth billions of dollars.
For Europe, the digital euro could become a cornerstone of financial sovereignty — strengthening control over payment infrastructure and reducing dependence on global private payment systems.