Bulgaria Adopts Euro as 21st Eurozone Member Amid Global De-Dollarization Trend

Bulgaria will transition to the euro as its sole currency on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone. This MOVE underscores a broader shift away from US dollar dominance, with nations increasingly favoring regional currency stability. The European Commission and European Central Bank have rigorously vetted Bulgaria's compliance with economic convergence criteria.

Eurozone finance ministers, led by Paschal Donohoe, accelerated approval processes after Bulgaria demonstrated strategic reforms. "The administrative frameworks were adopted unanimously," Donohoe noted, highlighting the country's optimized approach to meeting euro adoption benchmarks. The euro's appeal as a hedge against dollar-linked volatility grows as geopolitical tensions reshape global reserve currency dynamics.