Digital euro
ON THIS PAGE
A digital euro would be a digital form of cash, issued by the central bank and available to everyone in the euro area.
We are working with the national central banks of the euro area to look into the possible issuance of a digital euro. It would be a central bank digital currency, an electronic equivalent to cash. And it would complement banknotes and coins, giving people an additional choice about how to pay.
Digital euro
Central bank money in digital form, available for any electronic payments in shops, online or from person to person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How would the digital euro help me? How would the digital euro be different from stablecoins and crypto-assets? Would the digital euro guarantee user privacy? Would the digital euro replace cash? Check out the answers to common questions here.
Progress on the digital euro
Find out about the progress made during the digital euro project's preparation phase, which was launched in November 2023.
Ensuring transparency and accountability
We are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in the digital euro project. To keep the public and stakeholders informed, ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone regularly shares updates at the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.
Read the updates on the digital euro projectLATEST PUBLICATIONS ON THE DIGITAL EURO
FIND THEM HERE
The digital euro in relation to...
... privacy
The digital euro would offer people and businesses in the euro area a payment solution with the highest privacy standards. The ECB and the Eurosystem would not be able to identify who you are or what you are buying from the payment data we get.
Read more about the digital euro and privacy… crypto-assets
As the digital euro would be backed by a central bank, it would not be a crypto-asset. Central banks have a mandate to maintain the value of money, whether it is physical or digital. Crypto-assets are not backed or managed by any central institution and there is no guarantee that you can exchange them for cash when you need to.
What's the difference?… investments
The digital euro would be designed as a means of payment rather than an instrument for financial investments. We are examining this issue carefully to avoid negative consequences for the financial sector. The digital euro should be a public good that would benefit the economy and society as a whole.
Digital euro: Debunking banks’ fears about losing deposits… pan-European payments
We have set out a comprehensive payments strategy for the digital age. We aim to ensure European payments are supported by a competitive and innovative market capable of meeting consumer demands while preserving European sovereignty.
Our retail payments strategyThe ECB Podcast
A digital euro: what, why, when? (part 1 & 2)
Do we need a digital euro, and why? What might it look like? And how would it differ from other means of payment? Our host Katie Ranger puts these questions to digital euro expert Evelien Witlox.
Listen to the podcast episodesThe digital euro, demystified
We are preparing for the possibility of issuing the digital euro. This is fuelling a lot of interest − and misconceptions – despite the fact that no decision has yet been taken. Our host Stefania Secola and digital euro project head Evelien Witlox debunk some myths.
Listen to the podcast episodeBeware of fraud
We are aware of emails and fake websites soliciting people to invest in the digital euro. This is a scam. We never ask people for investments, money or personal information. If you think you have fallen victim to fraud, contact your local police.