ECB casts the digital euro as a defense against Big Tech and stablecoins

The European Central Bank says the digital euro is designed to protect eurozone payments from growing reliance on Big Tech platforms and stablecoins. It argues banks could otherwise lose fee income, customer data access and the stability of retail deposits, while the project includes bank-led distribution and limits aimed at preventing deposit flight. The Eurosystem targets a 2027 pilot, with possible first live transactions in mid-2027 if EU rules pass by 2026 and a potential issuance by 2029.