European Central Bank Outlines Roadmap for Resilient Competitive and Integrated Payments Across Europe

European Central Bank Outlines Roadmap for Resilient Competitive and Integrated Payments Across Europe

(IN BRIEF) The European Central Bank and the Eurosystem have introduced a comprehensive payments strategy covering retail, wholesale, business-to-business, and cross-border payments. The framework aims to balance innovation with financial stability by maintaining central bank money as the core of the system while supporting new technologies such as tokenisation and distributed ledger solutions. It outlines priorities including strengthening system resilience, promoting competition and integration, and reinforcing the international role of the euro. The strategy also highlights the importance of the digital euro in fostering pan-European payment solutions and calls for greater efficiency in business transactions. At the same time, the ECB remains committed to ensuring the continued availability of cash, demonstrating a dual focus on digital innovation and traditional payment methods.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRANKFURT AM MAIN, 31-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — European Central Bank, together with the Eurosystem, has unveiled a comprehensive payments strategy aimed at shaping the future of Europe’s payments landscape in response to rapid technological change. The framework expands beyond retail payments to include wholesale, business-to-business, and cross-border transactions, reflecting a broader and more integrated vision for the region’s financial infrastructure.

The strategy is designed to ensure that innovation in payments—driven by developments such as tokenisation and distributed ledger technology—can progress while maintaining central bank money as the foundation of trust, stability, and efficiency in the financial system.

According to Piero Cipollone, payments are evolving quickly across all segments, making it essential to ensure that systems remain reliable, efficient, competitive, and open to innovation. The ECB’s approach seeks to balance technological advancement with financial stability.

At the core of the strategy are four key priorities. First, preserving the central role of central bank money in both retail and wholesale payments to support monetary policy and financial stability. Second, strengthening the resilience and autonomy of Europe’s payment systems. Third, promoting innovation and competition across integrated payment solutions for consumers and businesses. Finally, reinforcing the global role of the euro.

A significant component of the strategy focuses on the growing role of tokenisation. The Eurosystem supports the use of tokenised settlement assets, while maintaining that central bank money should remain central in wholesale transaction settlement. Private solutions such as tokenised deposits and stablecoins are acknowledged as complementary, provided they are euro-denominated, properly regulated, and governed within the European Union.

The strategy also highlights the need for greater efficiency in business-to-business payments. It calls for increased standardisation, automation, and integration of processes, enabling companies to benefit from faster, more seamless, and innovative transaction solutions.

In the retail space, the ECB underscores the potential role of the digital euro as a catalyst for the development of pan-European payment solutions. The strategy emphasizes that public and private initiatives should work in tandem, with the digital euro complementing private sector innovations rather than replacing them.

The framework also consolidates several ongoing Eurosystem initiatives, including the development of the digital euro, projects such as Pontes and Appia, and broader efforts to improve cross-border payments. Together, these initiatives aim to modernise Europe’s payment ecosystem while ensuring it remains secure, efficient, and globally competitive.

In parallel, the ECB continues to reaffirm its commitment to maintaining the availability and usability of euro cash. Efforts are underway to introduce a new series of euro banknotes with updated designs, alongside support for regulatory measures that reinforce cash’s legal tender status.

The Eurosystem intends to continuously monitor technological and market developments, adapting its strategy as needed to ensure that Europe’s payments infrastructure remains resilient, innovative, and aligned with the needs of a digital economy.

Media Contact:

Alessandro Speciale
tel.: +49 172 1670791
email: alessandro.speciale@ecb.europa.eu

SOURCE: European Central Bank