The European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) has approved a position paper on the legal framework for the digital euro, setting the stage for negotiations with member state governments and the European Commission. The initiative aims to develop both online and offline versions of the digital euro, with the European Central Bank targeting a full rollout by 2029. Pilot programs are planned over the next year to test the infrastructure in real-world conditions. The digital euro is expected to provide a secure, European-native payment option, reducing reliance on Visa, Mastercard, and USD-denominated stablecoins. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance the security and independence of retail payments in Europe, while maintaining the availability of physical cash.