The European Central Bank recruits experts to promote the access of the digital euro to ATMs and card payment terminals

The European Central Bank has announced that it is recruiting experts to assist in the development of a rulebook for the digital euro in everyday payment scenarios, focusing on ATM and merchant card payment terminals. One working group will define how ATMs and point-of-sale terminals will process digital euro payments, including device connectivity, offline transaction support, and compatibility with existing payment standards; another working group will design the certification process for payment tools and infrastructure.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stated last December that the bank has completed the technical and preparatory work for digital currency and is currently awaiting approval from political institutions. The project is under review by the European Council and the European Parliament, and if approved, it is expected to launch as early as 2029. Meanwhile, 12 European banks, including BBVA, ING, and BNP Paribas, have formed the Qivalis project, planning to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in the second half of 2026, aimed at providing a blockchain payment solution that does not rely on dollar-backed tokens.