TechFlow, December 19 — According to CoinDesk, European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde announced on Thursday that the central bank has completed the technical and preparatory work for the digital euro and is now awaiting action from the European Council and the European Parliament. The project aims to create a public digital payment instrument, with an official launch expected in the second half of 2026.
Lagarde emphasized that the digital euro is a strategic priority for Europe's financial future, ensuring stable support for the financial system in the digital age. ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone stated that the digital euro would ensure payment continuity in cases such as cyberattacks or power outages.
Meanwhile, Lagarde reiterated that the central bank will maintain its meeting-based decision-making approach, adjusting interest rate policy based on economic data and inflation outlook. Revised forecasts indicate an average inflation rate of 2.1% in 2025, below target in 2026 and 2027, and rebounding to 2.0% in 2028.
