EUROPE (Enmaeya News) - October 2, 2025

The European Central Bank (ECB) published its selection of digital euro providers today, after launching a call for applications on Jan.3 2024. The progress in discussions around the digital euro has been pivotal in 2025, reflecting Europe's strategic focus on enhancing financial autonomy and adapting to the evolving digital economy.

The ECB will initially direct the service requests to the highest-ranking provider, while the second-ranked will serve as an alternative if required.

The preparation plan of the digital euro, a digital wallet which reduces the reliance on US Providers and enhances the Eurozone's financial autonomy, commenced in Nov. 2023. Trump's plan to support cryptocurrencies has accelerated the digital euro discussions, amid European concerns over US-made payment technologies.

In 2026, the ECB plans to undertake new experiments to further explore the digital euro's capabilities, including its potential to support automated payments in sectors like public transportation.

However, the digital euro will be issued only after the adoption of the Digital Euro Regulation. The service-provider agreement will also permit the ECB to adjust the scope in accordance with legislative measures.