ECB names 36 firms for digital euro pilot ahead of 2027 trial

Selected firms and timeline

The group includes major fintech and banking names such as Stripe, Revolut, Deutsche Bank, UniCredit and BPCE. According to the report, the ECB received applications from more than 50 companies after inviting expressions of interest in March. From that pool, it selected a mix of traditional lenders, payment processors and non-bank providers.

The pilot is intended to test how the digital euro could work in practice before any broader rollout. The ECB has described the effort as part of its wider preparation for a central bank-backed digital payment instrument.

How the pilot will work

The selected companies will take on different roles during the programme. Depending on their assignment, some are expected to help users access beta services linked to the digital euro, while others will support merchant payment acceptance. A number of participants may cover both areas.

The project will involve not only the ECB but also the central banks of the euro area’s 19 member states. Countries named in the report include Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

Country breakdown

Among the selected firms, Italy accounted for the largest national share with seven companies. Germany followed with five, while Portugal and Greece each had three participants in the final group. The article did not provide a full country-by-country list for all 36 firms, but the distribution indicates broad regional participation across the euro area.

ECB’s stated aim

ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone said the institution is seeking closer cooperation with European payment service providers as development of the digital euro continues. He said the project is being designed to be safe, efficient and inclusive.

The pilot does not by itself amount to a final rollout decision, but it does show that the ECB is moving from planning into more detailed testing with private-sector partners. By bringing in banks, fintechs and payment specialists, the central bank appears to be focusing on two practical questions: how users would gain access to a digital euro service and how merchants would accept payments made with it.

The new selection follows the ECB’s March call for interest and gives a clearer picture of the market participants likely to shape the next testing phase. With the start date set for the second half of 2027, the coming period is likely to be used for further technical and operational preparation.