Christine Lagarde confirmed the planned launch of the digital euro for October 2025, subject to the approval of European institutions. This initiative is situated in a context where a recent survey reveals, however, a marked disinterest among Europeans in this central bank digital currency.
The ECB officially announced its intention to launch the digital euro in October 2025. This project is conditioned on the approval of key European stakeholders (the European Commission, Parliament, and Council), but does not foresee a direct consultation with European citizens, although they are the first affected by this monetary revolution.
This acceleration occurs in a particular context. A recent survey conducted by the ECB among 19,000 Europeans in 11 countries reveals, however, a blatant lack of interest in this digital currency. Most respondents believe that current payment methods already perfectly meet their daily needs and do not see the utility of a new monetary tool.
The ECB's official motivations for this project are multiple. Christine Lagarde's main argument is the need to reduce European dependence on foreign payment solutions like Google Pay or Apple Pay. However, the analysis of the geopolitical context suggests other concerns.
One of the main challenges would be the European reaction to the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in the United States, especially since President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 prohibiting US CBDCs and seeking to make the United States 'the world's crypto capital'. Piero Cipollone, a member of the ECB board, has explicitly stated: 'That’s why we need a digital euro.'
Unlike decentralized cryptos, the digital euro would allow for centralized control with potential functionalities for programmability, geolocation, or even expiration of funds. However, Christine Lagarde insists that it would simply be a 'form of fiat money', a presentation that could facilitate its acceptance by the public.
In the face of this monetary revolution, the digital euro becomes unavoidable despite citizen opposition. In this duel between centralization and decentralization of the monetary system, European institutions seem determined to move forward, with or without popular support.