• ECB targets 2027 digital euro pilot as provider selection begins in Q1 2026 The ECB is set to begin selecting EU-licensed payment providers for its digital euro pilot this quarter, with the 12-month pilot set to kick off in the second half of 2027. • Cointelegraph in your social feed The European Central Bank (ECB) is moving closer to a pilot for a digital euro, with Executive Board Member Piero Cipollone outlining plans to begin selecting payment service providers (PSPs) in early 2026, ahead of a 12-month test scheduled for the second half of 2027. • Cipollone on Wednesdayheldan executive committee meeting of the Italian Banking Association. • He said the pilot would involve a limited number of payment service providers, merchants and Eurosystem staff. • Selection of participating providers is expected to start in the first quarter of 2026. • Cipollone said the digital euro will be designed to ensure it protects European card schemes and keeps banks at the core of the Eurozone payments system,accordingto Reuters.
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