Overview
- The ECB opened applications for two workstreams to draft rulebook sections covering ATM and point‑of‑sale integration for a potential digital euro.
- One group will set technical specifications for device connectivity, transaction processing and offline payments to ensure compatibility with current standards.
- A second group will design certification and approval frameworks that define how payment tools and infrastructure are tested and authorized.
- The workstreams will report to the ECB’s Rulebook Development Group, which includes merchants, payment service providers and consumer representatives.
- Pilot testing is planned for the second half of 2027 and any issuance remains subject to EU legislation and a Governing Council decision, as private bank consortium Qivalis targets a euro‑pegged token launch in 2026.