ECB President Advocates Digital Euro as Symbol of European Unity

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, positioned the digital euro as a cornerstone of financial unity and trust within the Eurozone. The initiative guarantees universal access to public money in an increasingly digitized payments landscape. Physical cash will remain in circulation, coexisting with the digital variant to ensure broad payment inclusivity.

The digital euro promises instant, low-cost transactions across all member states, both online and offline. This public alternative aims to reduce reliance on private payment giants like Visa and Mastercard. Lagarde stressed the urgency of establishing a clear timeline to maintain Europe's competitive edge in digital finance.

Technical preparations enter a critical phase in October 2025, with the ECB Governing Council approving infrastructure development. The blueprint will prioritize robust privacy safeguards and secure computing systems, enabling citizens to transact freely. Fabio Panetta's subsequent remarks underscored the project's strategic importance during Wednesday's press conference.