The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced the selection of 36 payment service providers (PSPs) from the eurozone to participate in a digital euro pilot set to commence in the second half of 2027. This 12-month trial will involve the ECB and 19 eurozone central banks, focusing on testing digital euro payments, offline transactions, e-commerce, and in-store purchases to enhance user experience and prepare for a potential official launch. The selection process began in March 2026, with over 50 applications received from eurozone PSPs. Notable participants include Deutsche Bank, Adyen, Revolut Bank, Stripe Technology Europe, and Worldline. The ECB aims to be ready for the first issuance of the digital euro by 2029, contingent on the EU passing digital euro legislation in 2026. The decision on whether to officially issue the digital euro remains pending.