ECB Invites Online and Mobile Merchants to Join Digital Euro Pilot

The Eurosystem has issued a call for expressions of interest, inviting e-commerce and mobile commerce merchants operating in the euro area to take part in its digital euro pilot, according to BitKE.

The invitation comes after the selection of payment service providers that will participate in the programme. Merchants chosen for the pilot will work alongside the European Central Bank (ECB) and euro area national central banks to trial a simulated digital euro environment and share feedback that could inform the currency's technical specifications.

The pilot is designed to assess the technical functionality, operational processes and overall user experience of the proposed currency. It will run on a beta version that is functionally and technically close to the digital euro described in draft legislation, though it will not carry legal tender status. Participants will include staff from the involved Eurosystem central banks, selected payment service providers and merchants delivering everyday services at the ECB and national central banks, such as cafeterias and restaurants.