ECB puts AI agent payments on the digital euro drawing board

What happened

The ECB is seeking firms to explore AI agents (AI that carries out multi-step tasks rather than answering one question) and machine-to-machine interactions as it prepares a separate digital euro pilot for 2027. The European Central Bank is seeking fintechs, payment firms and other organizations to explore the use of AI agents in digital euro payments.

The ECB opened applications on Monday for a new round of its digital euro innovation platform, dividing the program between hands-on testing of payment features and workshops on future digital euro uses. The digital euro is a proposed central bank digital currency for retail payments across the euro area.

The ECB has already selected 36 banks and payment firms, including Revolut, Stripe and Deutsche Bank, for a separate 12-month pilot beginning in the second half of 2027 . It would operate as digital cash alongside banknotes and coins.

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