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- Source: European Central Bank https://www.ecb.europa.eu//press/govcdec/otherdec/2026/html/ecb.gc261002~54c6b5672b.en.html
The European Central Bank has invited e-commerce and mobile-commerce merchants in the euro area to join its digital euro pilot, with applications due by 27 October 2026, the ECB said in a Governing Council decisions bulletin covering measures taken between July and September 2026. The bank also set a 9 November 2026 deadline for private companies to apply to explore how digital euro infrastructure could support innovation.
Key facts
- The ECB issued a call on 15 September 2026 for e-commerce and m-commerce merchants in the euro area to participate in the digital euro pilot, with applications closing on 27 October 2026.
- A second call, issued on 28 September 2026, invites private companies and organisations to collaborate on using digital euro infrastructure for innovation, with a deadline of 9 November 2026.
- The ECB will begin usability and accessibility testing of the digital euro app in 2027, after saying the app’s design will exceed the requirements of the European Accessibility Act.
- Almost ten million people completed the ECB’s survey on the future design of euro banknotes between 23 July and 21 September 2026, equal to 2.6% of the euro area population.
- The Governing Council adopted amendments to legal acts implementing the Eurosystem monetary policy framework on 22 September 2026, to apply from 30 November 2026.
What is the digital euro timeline?
According to the ECB’s announcements, the digital euro app will include accessibility features that go beyond the European Accessibility Act. Usability and accessibility testing will form part of the digital euro pilot in 2027. The ECB published details on 30 July 2026.
The pilot is open to merchants operating in the euro area. The ECB issued a call for expression of interest on 15 September 2026, with a deadline of 27 October 2026. A separate call on 28 September 2026 invites private companies and organisations to explore how the digital euro infrastructure could support their innovation efforts. Applications for that call close on 9 November 2026.
How many people responded to the banknote survey?
The ECB reported on 23 September 2026 that almost ten million people across Europe and beyond had completed its survey on the future design of euro banknotes. The survey ran from 23 July to 21 September 2026. Participation equalled 2.6% of the euro area population, a level the ECB described as unprecedented for such a survey. The ECB said it would outline next steps, and more information on the shortlisted proposals and the selection process is available on its website.
What other decisions did the Governing Council take?
On 22 September 2026 the Governing Council adopted amendments to the legal acts implementing the Eurosystem monetary policy framework. The amending acts are Guideline ECB/2026/26, amending Guideline (EU) 2015/510, and Guideline ECB/2026/27, amending Guideline (EU) 2016/65 on valuation haircuts. The amendments apply from 30 November 2026.
In the area of macroprudential policy, the Governing Council on 7 September 2026 approved the response of the European System of Central Banks to the European Commission’s targeted consultation on the review of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). The response welcomes the consultation as a way to assess where existing rules could be improved, taking into account lessons from the initial years of MiCAR’s implementation, evolving market dynamics and practices in other jurisdictions.
Who joins the Market Infrastructure Board?
The Governing Council on 30 July 2026 approved the appointment of Sigríður Dis Guðjónsdóttir, Head of Payments and Resilience at the Central Bank of Iceland, as a non-voting member of the Market Infrastructure Board representing a non-euro area central bank. Her term runs until 31 May 2029.
On 11 August 2026 the Governing Council approved an agreement governing the initial launch of Pontes, a solution for settling wholesale transactions in tokenised assets in central bank money. The agreement between Eurosystem central banks and the solution-providing Eurosystem national central banks sets a binding legal framework for a production-grade system while reflecting the interim nature of this phase. On 11 September 2026 the Market Infrastructure Board recommended proceeding with the scheduled initial launch on 21 September 2026.
How is the ECB tightening payment oversight?
On 24 August 2026 the Governing Council adopted Decision ECB/2026/22 identifying the Visa Europe Payment System as a systemically important payment system under Regulation (EU) 2025/1355. The decision was notified to the German branch of Visa Europe Limited as operator of the system for the euro area. As a result, the Eurosystem will oversee the Visa Europe Payment System, with the ECB as lead overseer.
On 24 September 2026 the Governing Council noted a progress update on interlinking the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) platform with other fast payment systems globally. It approved the start of an assessment of the feasibility of interlinking with Brazil’s Pix instant payment system. The Governing Council also considered a recommendation from the Market Infrastructure Board on pricing for the TIPS interlinking service.
What happens next?
Merchants have until 27 October 2026 to apply for the digital euro pilot, and private companies have until 9 November 2026 to respond to the innovation call. The amended monetary policy legal acts take effect on 30 November 2026, while the ECB has said it will publish further information on TIPS interlinking as progress is made.
Source: European Central Bank
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