The European Central Bank (ECB) is inviting industry experts to join workstreams examining how a potential digital euro would operate with ATMs, payment terminals and acceptance infrastructure.
In a Wednesday announcement, the ECB opened applications for two workstreams under its Rulebook Development Group (RDG). One will draft implementation specifications for ATM and terminal providers, covering communication technologies, offline capabilities and reuse of existing payment standards. The other will propose testing, certification and approval processes for payment solutions and infrastructure used by payment service providers within a digital euro ecosystem.
The effort focuses on integrating a digital euro with current payment systems and hardware, ensuring interoperability across Europe and supporting offline transactions. The move reflects a shift from policy design toward implementation planning, with the ECB seeking technical input to build a standardized rulebook.
The RDG, which includes representatives from merchants, payment service providers and consumers, will receive reports from the workstreams. Selected experts are expected to contribute technical expertise to help shape implementation and certification frameworks.
The ECB has signaled plans to begin selecting EU-licensed payment service providers ahead of a 12-month digital euro pilot expected to start in the second half of 2027. ECB Executive Board Member Piero Cipollone said the pilot would involve a limited number of merchants, Eurosystem staff and PSPs. The ECB emphasized that any final decision to issue a digital euro will follow adoption of the necessary legislation.
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