The European Central Bank has opened a call for expression of interest inviting e-commerce and m-commerce merchants based in the euro area to join its digital euro pilot.
The call builds on the recent appointment of payment service providers (PSPs) to the same pilot, and marks the next step in bringing merchants directly into the testing process.
Those selected will work alongside the ECB and national central banks across the euro area, gaining early exposure to a simulated digital euro environment while feeding back insights that will help refine the currency’s technical design.
The pilot itself is designed to examine how the digital euro performs in practice, covering its technical build, operational workflows and the experience it offers users. It will run on a “beta digital euro”, a version that mirrors the functionality and technical shape of the digital euro set out in draft legislation, though it will carry no legal tender status.
Alongside e-commerce and m-commerce merchants, the trial will also draw in staff from participating central banks and selected PSPs, plus merchants offering everyday services on-site at the ECB and national central banks, such as cafeterias and restaurants. National central banks may separately recruit further local merchants outside this call.
For merchants that take part, the pilot offers direct exposure to beta digital euro transactions within live e-commerce and m-commerce settings, the chance to engage with other pilot participants, and the ability to trial customer payment journeys to see how the digital euro might slot into existing checkout systems. Merchants will also be able to feed back on integration, payment journeys and the wider customer experience.
The Eurosystem frames the pilot as more than a technical exercise, describing it as a space for merchants, PSPs and central banks to collaborate, with the resulting feedback shaping future design choices and user journeys.
Any final decision to issue a digital euro remains contingent on the adoption of the relevant EU legislation, and the Eurosystem says its preparations will continue to be adapted in step with that legislative process.
Participation is voluntary and unpaid. Merchants that are selected will sign a merchant participation agreement with the ECB and must also set up or adjust their contractual relationship with an acquiring pilot PSP. Within the pilot, merchants will function as business end users, enabling beta digital euro payments in remote commerce settings and helping validate the payment experience and core functionalities.
Applications will be judged by the ECB against eligibility criteria and weighted factors including market reach, operational readiness and overall suitability for the pilot.
Copyright © 2026 RegTech Analyst
Copyright © 2026 RegTech Analyst
