Tasks left on the list include finalizing the rulebook, deciding how privacy and anti-money-laundering checks will work, and lining up service providers and technical infrastructure. No final decision to issue will be taken until the legal framework is in place.
Banks will be watching closely. So will fintech firms and payment platforms. Some regulators have said they want central bank money available electronically so citizens can keep using safe public money as cash use falls.
According to media coverage, political signals from outside the EU have helped speed talks. US President Donald Trump’s moves on crypto and stablecoin regulation were cited by some EU ministers as a reason to solidify Europe’s own plan.
Open questions around design and limits remain. Will retail accounts hold interest? How much can a person keep in digital euros? Can citizens use the currency offline? These are basic questions that lawmakers and the ECB must answer together.
Reports say the ECB is aiming to protect privacy while meeting AML rules, but those goals sometimes conflict and will need trade-offs.
A narrow window, but not a guarantee. The 2029 timeline is a signal to markets and developers. It is a target, not a promise. Based on reports, the bank’s path will be shaped by how quickly EU legislation moves and how well technical trials go over the next months and years.
Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView
