ECB's Cipollone says digital euro payments could begin within 12 months

ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone discusses the digital euro's timeline, rationale and merchant impact in an interview with Corriere della Sera. For compliance and payments teams, this signals near-term milestones on legislation, piloting and participant selection that will shape preparation timelines.

• Piero Cipollone said the digital euro pilot was launched in summer 2026, with first tests starting next year and first payments within 12 months.
• The ECB received nearly 60 applications in May to take part in the pilot and selected 36 participants, including several Italian banks.
• Technical standards agreements were signed in April 2026, according to Cipollone.
• Cipollone said the digital euro would be free to individuals, as cash is today, and would also work offline without an internet connection.
• He said the EU legislative text needed before the project can proceed should be ready by the end of the year.

Executive summary

In an interview with Corriere della Sera published 8 October 2026, ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone addressed the timeline and rationale for the digital euro. He said the project would complement rather than replace cash, pointing to the ECB's…

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