TechFlow news, according to a video posted on X from the official European Central Bank account, ECB President Christine Lagarde announced that the Governing Council has decided to advance to the final phase of preparing for the digital euro, marking a key milestone for the project. She stated that the European Council had requested on October 23 to accelerate the process so that the digital euro can be launched as early as possible.
Lagarde emphasized that while banknotes will continue to circulate, the ECB aims to extend cash into its "digital euro form," allowing the public to use physical notes or digital cash with a "click," much like a payment app.
According to the plan:
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If approved by the European Parliament in 2026, a digital euro pilot will launch in 2027;
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If testing proceeds smoothly, the digital euro is scheduled to be officially issued across Europe in 2029.
Lagarde said the digital euro is not merely a technical project, but a "symbol of trust in Europe's shared destiny," representing the unity of currency and sovereignty.
