European lawmakers back a privacy-focused design as the ECB moves closer to launching a digital currency
The Council of the European Union has formally endorsed the launch of the digital euro in both online and offline formats, supporting the European Central Bank’s vision for a widely accessible central bank digital currency. The decision marks a key step in shaping how digital public money could function across the eurozone.
In its official position, the EU Council aligned with the ECB’s proposal to roll out online and offline versions simultaneously, ensuring flexibility for users in different connectivity environments. While the ECB has designed the framework, final approval and legislative shaping now rest with EU lawmakers and the European Parliament.
ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasized that political institutions will determine whether the proposal becomes binding law or undergoes amendments.
One of the most notable elements is the offline digital euro, designed to resemble cash-like privacy. In offline mode, transaction data would not leave the devices of the two participants, preventing third parties from linking payments to individual users.
By endorsing both online convenience and offline privacy, the EU Council has signaled strong political backing for a digital euro that balances usability, resilience, and data protection, even as technical and legislative questions remain unresolved.
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