The European Central Bank (ECB) has opened its digital euro pilot to online and mobile commerce merchants across the euro area, giving businesses an opportunity to test how the proposed central bank digital currency could work in real payment environments.
The Eurosystem launched a call for expressions of interest on 15 September, following the selection of 36 payment service providers (PSPs) for the pilot. Selected merchants will test a beta version of the digital euro and provide feedback on payment journeys, integration requirements and the customer experience.
The ECB digital euro merchant pilot is expected to begin in the second half of 2027 and run for 12 months. It will be conducted as a controlled exercise involving ECB and national central bank staff, participating PSPs and selected merchants.
What Merchants Will Test
The beta digital euro will be functionally and technically close to the version envisaged in the draft EU legislation. However, it will not have legal tender status during the pilot.
For online and mobile merchants, the exercise will focus on remote commerce payments. Participating businesses will be able to test customer payment journeys and examine how digital euro payments could fit into existing checkout and payment processes.
The ECB also wants merchants to provide feedback on their operational needs, integration requirements and customer experience. The information collected during the pilot will be used to inform future technical and design decisions.
The pilot is therefore intended to test more than the underlying payment technology. It will also give the Eurosystem an opportunity to examine how businesses and users interact with the proposed payment method in practical situations.
The ECB has previously said the pilot will test the digital euro’s technical functionality, operational processes and overall user experience. It will include both online and offline payment scenarios and person-to-person and person-to-business transactions.
Merchants Need an Acquiring PSP
Participation in the pilot will be voluntary and unpaid. Merchants selected through the latest call will need to sign a participation agreement with the ECB and establish or adapt a contractual relationship with an acquiring PSP participating in the pilot.
The ECB will assess applications using eligibility requirements and criteria including market reach, operational readiness and the applicant’s suitability for supporting the exercise.
The latest merchant call is focused specifically on e-commerce and mobile-commerce businesses operating in the euro area. National central banks can also recruit additional local merchants through separate calls.
The ECB has scheduled an information session for interested merchants for 6 October 2026 at 15:00 CET. Applications for the current call must be submitted by 17:00 CET on 27 October 2026.
Digital Euro Still Depends on EU Legislation
The merchant pilot does not mean that the digital euro is being launched as a legal payment instrument.
The ECB describes the exercise as part of its ongoing preparations for a possible digital euro. The final decision on whether to issue the currency will only be taken after the relevant EU legislation has been adopted.
The central bank has been working on the project as a potential digital form of central bank money that would complement euro banknotes and coins. The proposed digital euro is intended for electronic payments in physical shops, online and between individuals.
The move to involve merchants gives businesses a more direct role in testing the proposed system before any potential launch. For the ECB, their feedback can provide information on how the digital euro would interact with existing checkout systems, acquiring arrangements and customer payment flows.
The pilot will consequently provide another stage of practical testing while the legislative process continues. Its results are expected to contribute to the Eurosystem’s technical preparations and assessment of whether the proposed digital euro can meet the requirements of users and businesses.
