Ibrahim Khogian

According to Cointelegraph, European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has emphasized the potential of the digital euro as a unifying force within the European Union (EU). In a statement released on Friday, Lagarde highlighted the ECB's commitment to launching the central bank digital currency (CBDC) "as early as possible." She noted that while traditional banknotes will remain in circulation, the ECB envisions cash in the form of a digital euro, which could facilitate online payments across the EU. Lagarde described the digital euro as a significant project, symbolizing trust in a shared future, and indicated that the ECB is entering the final phase of preparation for its rollout.

The ECB's governing council announced plans on Thursday to develop the technical infrastructure necessary for testing and deploying a retail CBDC. This initiative is contingent upon EU lawmakers passing legislation that would authorize the ECB to issue the digital currency, with a potential rollout targeted for 2029. However, the concept of CBDCs has sparked controversy, particularly among cryptocurrency advocates who view them as contrary to the principles of decentralized finance (DeFi). Critics argue that CBDCs could infringe on civil liberties and privacy by enabling real-time monitoring of financial transactions.

The ECB's announcement has faced significant backlash from the crypto community, with many expressing concerns over the implications of a digital euro. Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius, a remote procedure call (RPC) node provider, dismissed the idea, advocating instead for the use of private money. Political writer David Thunder echoed these sentiments, suggesting that while the euro is a symbol of trust, a CBDC could undermine this by allowing for increased surveillance of financial activities.

In response to the ECB's plans, legal proposals have emerged from European lawmakers in France and Germany seeking to ban CBDCs and promote Bitcoin (BTC) as an alternative. Éric Ciotti of the Union of the Right for the Republic in France has led efforts to prohibit CBDCs, while Germany's Alternative for Germany party has proposed recognizing BTC as a national strategic asset. These developments reflect ongoing debates within Europe regarding the future of digital currencies and their role in the financial system.

Key TakeawaysBinance Coin (BNB) surged to $902.27 (+2.56% in 24h), setting a new all-time high.The rally coincided with Binance’s new partnership with Franklin Templeton, a $1.6T asset manager.Technical indicators show bullish alignment, though BNB faces resistance near $904.37.The partnership may expand Franklin Templeton’s BENJI tokenized assets to Binance’s ecosystem.BNB Rallies to Record HighsBinance Coin (BNB) rallied above the $900 mark, climbing 2.56% to $902.27 on Sept. 10, 2025. The move set a new yearly high and placed BNB within reach of breaking further into four-digit territory.The surge came as Binance announced a strategic partnership with Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest asset managers with $1.6 trillion AUM, to co-develop tokenized investment products.BNB’s trading volume hit $203 million on Binance spot markets, suggesting strong momentum despite modest overall liquidity compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Partnership With Franklin TempletonThe collaboration aims to merge Franklin Templeton’s tokenization expertise with Binance’s global trading infrastructure. The focus areas include:Tokenized securities compliant with regulatory frameworks.Efficiency in settlement, collateral management, and portfolio construction.Broader accessibility for institutional and retail investors.Franklin Templeton’s BENJI token, a tokenized money market fund currently live on Stellar and other chains, may also expand to BNB Smart Chain under the new partnership.“We see blockchain not as a threat, but as an opportunity to reimagine capital markets,” said Sandy Kaul, EVP, Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton.“By working with Binance, we can deliver breakthrough products that meet the requirements of global capital markets and co-create the portfolios of the future,” added Roger Bayston, EVP and Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton.BNB Technical Analysis: Bullish SetupBNB’s price action reflects a strong bullish alignment across multiple indicators:RSI at 64.35 shows room for upside before overbought levels.SMA 7 ($870.71) and SMA 20 ($865.90) act as near-term support.MACD line (15.30) above signal (14.28) confirms upward momentum.Stochastic oscillator (%K at 96.61) signals strong momentum but nearing overbought.Bollinger Bands show BNB trading above the upper band at $900.09, suggesting possible short-term consolidation.Resistance: $904.37 (24h high, psychological barrier).Support: $870–880 zone, with stronger support at $829.59 (SMA 50).Market OutlookBNB is up 29% year-to-date and over 75% in the past 12 months. The combination of new partnerships, tokenized asset initiatives, and strong technical momentum has renewed bullish sentiment around Binance Coin.While the immediate upside may be capped by resistance near $904, sustained demand could drive BNB toward the $920–$930 range, with the possibility of testing $1,000 if momentum continues.