Daily Observation of Cryptocurrency Policy: The European Central Bank calls on merchants to join the digital euro pilot, while central banks from 19 countries collaborate to test full-scenario retail settlement
Released on September 16, 2026. The implementation process of the eurozone's central bank digital currency (CBDC) has entered a critical phase of real-world commercial validation. The European Central Bank (ECB) has officially called for both physical and online merchants within the eurozone to actively participate in the Digital Euro pilot project. This pilot will be jointly conducted by 19 central banks of eurozone countries, with internal personnel from the central bank system acting as pioneer users to conduct comprehensive practical stress tests on the technical infrastructure, operational processes, and user experience of the Digital Euro beta version, marking a decisive step towards the digital sovereignty of the European retail settlement system.