Piero Cipollone discusses the advantages, security, and strategic significance of the digital euro in an interview conducted on 15 January 2026, highlighting its usability, infrastructure, and European independence.
On 15 January 2026, Piero Cipollone was interviewed by Markus Zydra and Meike Schreiber regarding the digital euro.
He explained that the digital euro is designed to be easy to use and accepted everywhere in the euro area, including small shops without smartphones. It will be free for basic use, similar to cash, and can be stored on servers, smartphones, or cards.
In case of theft, the digital euro remains secure; only the offline stored money could be lost, similar to physical cash. Users can block devices or cards and recover funds if found.
Cipollone emphasized the strategic importance of the digital euro, noting it is based on European technology, reducing reliance on third countries and US-based payment providers like Visa and Mastercard.
The digital euro aims to address online payments and improve payment infrastructure, creating a European standard that facilitates private payment solutions and enhances financial sovereignty.
He clarified that the digital euro does not enable programmable or conditional payments to block purchases. All transactions are anonymous, and the system cannot track individual spending or restrict purchases.
The digital euro will support offline payments, maintaining privacy similar to cash, and will be available once legal and technical standards are established. The issuance is expected in 2029, with preparations starting immediately after regulations are in place.
Despite some skepticism and delays, Cipollone highlighted the importance of timely implementation to reduce dependence on foreign payment systems and ensure European control over digital currency infrastructure.
Source: European Central Bank
