ECB names 36 payment firms for the digital euro pilot

The European Central Bank has selected 36 payment service providers, including major banks and fintech firms, to participate in a 12-month pilot of the digital euro starting in the second half of 2027. The pilot will test a beta version of the digital euro without legal tender status, focusing on various payment use cases across multiple euro area countries. The trial aims to evaluate the digital euro's functionality through both distributing and acquiring providers in collaboration with central