The European Central Bank (ECB) is preparing for a potential 2029 rollout of its digital euro, as officials push for a legal framework despite privacy and political concerns across the European Union.
ECB Sets 2029 Goal for Digital Euro
The European Central Bank (ECB) is reportedly planning to launch its central bank digital currency (CBDC) — the digital euro — by 2029, provided the European Union finalizes its legal framework in time.
According to reports from Bloomberg, officials involved in the project will continue preparations after the current phase concludes this month. The ECB began exploring a digital euro in 2020, entering its preparation phase in late 2023, as part of a long-term effort to modernize Europe’s payment systems.
Preparatory discussions are expected to continue this week in Italy, with hopes that lawmakers will approve the necessary legislation within the next four years.
Lawmakers Divided Over CBDC Implementation
Despite steady technical progress, EU lawmakers remain divided over whether a digital euro is beneficial or risky. Critics cite privacy concerns, the potential for surveillance, and disruption to the banking sector as key issues slowing political consensus.
While the ECB’s digital euro is still years away, only three countries have fully launched a CBDC — Nigeria, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, according to data from the Atlantic Council. Another 49 nations remain in pilot stages, reflecting cautious global progress toward sovereign digital currencies.
Legislation proposed in 2023 has faced delays due to elections and policy disagreements, leaving the timeline uncertain.
In a recent statement, ECB Board Member Piero Cipolloni projected mid-2029 as a realistic launch target, saying that the European Parliament may reach an agreement by May 2026.
“A digital euro would ensure all Europeans have access to free, universally accepted digital means of payment,” Cipolloni said, adding that such infrastructure could remain operational even during crises like war or cyberattacks.
Research by the Human Rights Foundation notes that CBDCs could improve payment efficiency and expand financial inclusion, but warns of risks such as loss of privacy and potential misuse by governments.
The digital euro project represents Europe’s most ambitious financial modernization effort in decades. Yet, as legal, political, and ethical questions continue to divide policymakers, the ECB’s 2029 target underscores the balance between innovation and individual rights in the future of money.
Whether the digital euro becomes a symbol of progress or controversy will depend on how Europe manages privacy, regulation, and trust in the years ahead.
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