ECB slaps a €1.3B price tag on the digital euro amid leadership change rumors
The ECB has estimated the digital euro's development cost at €1.3 billion as leadership transition rumors coincide with key project milestones.Summary
The European Central Bank (ECB) is moving the digital euro project into a new phase, including system setup and piloting, with a call for provider expressions of interest set for March 2026 and a pilot starting in the second half of 2027. This institutional momentum coincides with rumors, reported by the FT, that ECB President Christine Lagarde might step down before her term ends in October 2027, potentially linked to France's April 2027 presidential election. The ECB has publicly stated Lagarde has made no decision on her term. The digital euro's timeline is critical because its readiness for potential issuance by 2029 hinges on legislation being adopted in 2026. The ECB has estimated the total development cost for the digital euro at approximately €1.3 billion, with annual operating costs of about €320 million starting in 2029. Lagarde's role as the public translator for this complex project makes her potential departure a concern for continuity, although the project's governance structure is designed to keep it moving forward regardless of leadership changes.
(Source：CryptoSlate)