Market Trends - Startups are tokenizing the euro in anticipation of the ECB's digital euro launch in 2029 [1] - Tokenized EUR onchain has increased significantly from approximately $100 million in January 2023 [1] Tokenized Asset Growth - The total value of tokenized EUR onchain is currently around $750 million [1]

Italy's banks support ECB's digital euro plan, but want to spread out costs over time: Reuters https://t.co/qI7UifKCAG ...

European Central Bank to 'Accelerate' CBDC Plans, Eyeing 2029 Digital Euro Rollout► https://t.co/GxVKMS7N6H https://t.co/GxVKMS7N6H ...

Digital Currency - The European Central Bank (ECB) anticipates a potential formal launch of a digital Euro in 2029 [1]

🇪🇺 JUST IN: The European Central Bank announces that a digital Euro could make a formal rollout in 2029. https://t.co/m8jlZnvvS9 ...

A fully-fledged digital euro should only be launched if the private sector doesn’t come up with its own solution to integrate the region’s fractured payments landscape, according to the lead European Union lawmaker on the file https://t.co/izol1gKTx6 ...

🚨UPDATE: ECB ANNOUNCES DIGITAL EURO PILOT PHASE COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS 2027 ~ BLOOMBERG ...

CBDC Developments - The ECB indicates a potential digital euro launch by 2029 [1] - Europe's CBDC initiative raises questions about strengthening the euro versus tightening financial control [1]

Core Insights - A consortium of nine major European banks has been formed to issue a euro-denominated stablecoin, aiming to create a European alternative to US dollar stablecoins, which currently dominate over 99% of the global market [1][4]. Group 1: Consortium Formation and Regulatory Context - The consortium includes banks such as ING, UniCredit, and CaixaBank, and will operate under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) [1]. - A Dutch-based company will be established to apply for an e-money license supervised by the Dutch Central Bank, with the stablecoin expected to be issued in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval [2]. Group 2: Features and Market Position - The stablecoin is designed for instant, low-cost transactions, 24/7 cross-border payments, programmable settlement, and applications in digital assets and supply chain management, with potential wallet and custody services offered by banks [3]. - The euro stablecoin market is currently fragmented, with EURC controlling 47%, STASIS EURO 26%, and CoinVertible 9%, and the combined capitalization is below €350 million, indicating its small scale compared to dollar-based tokens [5]. Group 3: Strategic Implications and Expert Opinions - The European Central Bank has expressed concerns that MiCA may be too lenient, and EU officials warn that unchecked US tokens could undermine euro stability [4][6]. - Experts highlight the need for stricter oversight of non-EU issuers and emphasize that digital payments are crucial for euro-denominated financial infrastructure, calling for industry-wide standards [6][7].

Digital Currency - Digital Euro launch unlikely before 2029 [1]