Digital euro: The plan to Trump-proof the EU's economy
Key takeaways
- The EU’s central bank is preparing a digital euro to cut dependence on Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay.
- Yet in 2026, when you walk into a store or buy something online, you still reach for cash or your card.
- Bitcoin's volatility and complexity have kept it from becoming everyday money.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The EU’s central bank is preparing a digital euro to cut dependence on Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay. Success hinges on giving consumers an easy-to-use payment system without prompting a flight from bank savings.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fxp6Europe's single currency, the euro, is preparing to go digital Image: Africa Images/Pond5 Images/IMAGOAdvertisement Digital, or cryptocurrencies, were supposed to revolutionize the way we pay for goods and services. Yet in 2026, when you walk into a store or buy something online, you still reach for cash or your card.
Bitcoin's volatility and complexity have kept it from becoming everyday money. That is where the European Central Bank (ECB) steps in with plans for a stable digital currency.