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At the European Central Bank's interest rate press conference today, ECB President Christine Lagarde stated all technical and preparatory work for the launch of a digital euro is complete.
What's the Scoop?
- CBDC Ready: ECB President Christine Lagarde implored European lawmakers to adopt a central bank digital currency, touting its digital euro as a strategic priority for Europe’s financial future. Lagarde marketed the CBDC as "the anchor of stability for the [European] financial system."
- Monetary Conference: Lagarde's remarks about the digital euro came during the ECB's final monetary policy press conference of 2025, in which the central bank left its interest rate policy unchanged, citing its projections for a slowdown in growth and inflation for the euro area in the year ahead.
- Impending Launch: Assuming European legislators adopt the necessary regulations by 2026, the ECB anticipates its digital euro pilot programs will begin as soon as mid-2027, with a full rollout slated for 2029.
The digital euro would complement banknotes and extend the benefits of cash to the digital sphere. This is important because euro cash brings us together.
— European Central Bank (@ecb) October 31, 2025
Europeans would have the freedom to use the digital euro for any digital payment, online or offline, throughout the euro… pic.twitter.com/XzNZbl6mD8
