Catenaa, Monday, September 22, 2025- European Union (EU) finance ministers on Friday agreed to a compromise roadmap for a digital euro, giving governments more control over its launch and usage limits.
If passed, the digital euro could take nearly three years to launch. Several member states operate national payment systems, but none function across the entire bloc.
The deal was reached in Copenhagen during talks with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
Ministers secured a role in deciding whether the currency will be issued and in approving limits on how much each resident may hold, addressing concerns about bank stability.
The digital euro, planned as an electronic wallet backed by the ECB, has faced delays since legislation was first proposed in June 2023.
Lawmakers and banks have warned it could erode deposits, increase costs, and weaken privacy safeguards. The compromise aims to balance innovation with financial security.
Lagarde described the project as both a payment system and a political signal of European sovereignty, reducing dependence on US-based Visa and Mastercard and offering an answer to President Donald Trump’s push for dollar-backed stablecoins.
The European Council expects to finish its legislative work by year-end, with the ECB aiming for approval by June.
The agreement marked the first step in clarifying governance for Europe’s long-debated digital currency, with ministers pledging further coordination before full rollout.
