The European Central Bank has opened applications for online merchants to join a controlled pilot of the digital euro scheduled for 2027. The program will connect merchants with 36 payment providers selected in July to test real online payment flows. The 12-month operational phase is expected to begin in Q3 2027 and run through Q3 2028, with a possible extension of up to six months. Applicants must serve customers across at least two euro-area countries and operate a platform flexible enough to integrate the test payment flow. This pilot will not carry legal-tender status and will not decide whether to issue the digital euro, which remains subject to EU legislation and a separate ECB decision.
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