The European Central Bank (ECB) and euro area national central banks on Monday opened a call for expression of interest inviting e-commerce and mobile commerce (m-commerce) merchants operating in the euro area to take part in the digital euro pilot. The announcement, published September 15, follows the Eurosystem’s earlier selection of payment service providers (PSPs) and hands merchants a direct role in shaping the future of digital payments across Europe.
What the Pilot Will Test
The 12-month pilot, expected to begin in the second half of 2027, will test a beta version of the digital euro in a controlled payment environment built to replicate the currency’s key characteristics and functionalities. The ECB said the beta digital euro will be functionally and technically close to the digital euro foreseen in draft legislation, though it will not have legal tender status. Selected merchants will act as business end users, enabling beta digital euro payments in remote commerce environments and contributing to the validation of the payment experience, operational processes and core functionalities — a hands-on step that feeds the wider debate over the digital euro’s design.
Who Can Apply and Key Dates
The call specifically targets e-commerce and m-commerce merchants operating in the euro area, who will gain first-hand experience of a simulated digital euro ecosystem. Participation is voluntary and unremunerated. Applications will be assessed by the ECB against eligibility requirements and weighted criteria covering market reach, operational readiness and suitability to support the pilot. Interested merchants must submit applications by 17:00 CET on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, with an information session on October 6 at 15:00 CET and a new set of FAQs already published. Selected merchants will enter into a participation agreement with the ECB and establish a contractual relationship with an acquiring pilot PSP.
A Step Toward, Not Yet, Issuance
The merchant recruitment builds on earlier pilot infrastructure work and moves the Eurosystem from policy debate toward hands-on testing, echoing recent calls for central-bank money to move onchain. However, the ECB stressed that no decision on issuing a digital euro will be made until EU legislation is adopted, and that preparations remain flexible. The pilot therefore remains a preparation exercise rather than a commitment to launch, with the ECB framing merchant feedback as input for future design decisions.
