ECB digital euro pilot opens merchant call

The European Central Bank has launched two calls for expression of interest to involve merchants and private companies in its digital euro pilot, with deadlines in October and November 2026. On 15 September 2026, the ECB invited e-commerce and mobile commerce merchants operating in the euro area to take part, setting a submission deadline of 27 October 2026. A second call followed on 28 September 2026, inviting private companies and organisations to explore how the digital euro infrastructure could support innovation, with a deadline of 9 November 2026.

Accessibility and usability built into digital euro app from outset

Usability and accessibility are central to the project's next phase. On 30 July 2026, the ECB confirmed the digital euro app will exceed the standards set by the European Accessibility Act. Usability and accessibility testing is formally planned for the 2027 pilot phase, ensuring these features are integrated from the outset.

ECB updates monetary policy and statistical reporting frameworks

Parallel to the digital currency work, the ECB is refining its core institutional frameworks. The Governing Council adopted amendments to key monetary policy implementation guidelines on 22 September 2026. These changes, effective from 30 November 2026, update Guideline (EU) 2015/510 and Guideline (EU) 2016/65. Earlier, on 11 September 2026, the Council updated statistical reporting rules for monetary financial institutions. The new guideline ensures quarterly data on loans to non-financial corporations aligns with the revised NACE economic activity classification.

Pontes settlement system moves toward launch as MIB recommends proceed

The infrastructure for settling tokenised assets is also advancing. The Governing Council approved a binding legal framework agreement for the initial launch of Pontes on 11 August 2026. Pontes is a solution for settling wholesale transactions in tokenised assets using central bank money. One month later, on 11 September 2026, the Market Infrastructure Board recommended proceeding with the scheduled Pontes initial launch date of 21 September 2026.

ECB oversees Visa Europe as systemically important and explores Pix interlink

In a significant oversight move, the ECB has designated a major payment system as systemically important. On 24 August 2026, the Governing Council adopted a decision identifying the Visa Europe Payment System under relevant EU regulation. This places it under Eurosystem oversight with the ECB as the lead overseer; the decision was notified to the German branch of Visa Europe Limited. The ECB is also looking to link European and global payment systems. On 24 September 2026, the Governing Council approved starting a feasibility assessment for interlinking the Eurosystem's TIPS platform with Brazil's instant payment system, Pix. The Council took note of progress on similar global interlinking efforts.

The ECB stated that "almost ten million people across Europe and beyond had completed the ECB survey on the future design of euro banknotes." Merchants and organisations must submit their expressions of interest by 27 October and 9 November 2026 respectively to join the digital euro pilot.