Digital Euro Faces Delays: ECB Signals Launch Unlikely Before 2029

Europe’s digital euro project has hit another roadblock, with ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone indicating a mid-2029 launch as the most realistic timeline. Despite recent progress in political negotiations and technical frameworks, key decisions remain unresolved.

The European Parliament’s legislative approval stands as the primary hurdle. While EU member states aim for a year-end agreement, debates persist over technical infrastructure—ranging from private ledgers to public blockchain solutions.

Cipollone revealed at Bloomberg’s Future of Finance event that last week’s framework agreement on usage and security marked significant progress. Yet the ECB maintains active discussions with all EU member states, emphasizing the complexity of implementing a centralized digital currency.