Altcoins

Europe Is Ready To Start Digital Euro’s Two-Year “Preparation Phase” In November 2025

By Akriti Seth

Last Updated: Feb 6, 2025

Fact checked

By Sam Cooling

Disclaimer Icon
Disclaimer

Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.
99Bitcoins may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. All our recommendations follow a thorough review process.

ECB CBDC
Disclaimer Icon
Disclaimer

Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.
99Bitcoins may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. All our recommendations follow a thorough review process.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is ready to officially launch the preparation phase for the digital euro. The time frame is set by Europe – 1 November 2025!

Speaking to Reuters on 6 February 2025, ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone said that Trump’s support for globally available stablecoins tied to the dollar would help create yet another US-made payment tool and added urgency to the digital euro project.

Furthermore, Cipollone said that the spread of US stablecoins as a means of payment was worrisome because it threatened to divert deposits away from European banks.

“If people in Europe start to use stablecoins to pay, given that most of them are American and dollar-based, they will be transferring their deposits from Europe to the US,” he said.

Explore: European Central Bank Advances Digital Euro Initiative With Strategic Milestones

CBDC Timeline In Europe

The multi-year central bank digital currency (CBDC) project was announced in October 2023 in Europe. 

“The political world is becoming more alert to this,” Cipollone said. “And it’s possible that we will see an acceleration in the process.”

Furthermore, EU lawmakers said that Parliament may at best have a report ready by the summer regarding CBDC project progress.

However, everyone may not be on the same page.

Europe’s French Member of Parliament (MEP), Sarah Knafo, voiced strong support for Bitcoin while opposing the European Union’s plans for a digital euro.

“Yes to a strategic national reserve of Bitcoin,” she insisted.

During a parliamentary session on 16 December 2024, Knafo expressed skepticism about the digital euro project, arguing that it could undermine individual financial autonomy and lead to excessive state control over personal finances.

The MEP emphasized that Bitcoin represents a decentralized alternative that aligns with principles of freedom and transparency.

Explore: European MP Advocates For Bitcoin Reserve, Opposes EU Digital Euro In Parliament

ECB President Doesn’t See Bitcoin Becoming Part Of Reserves

Current ECB President Christine Lagarde told reporters on 30 January 2025 that the European Council believed that central banks’ reserves should be “liquid, secure, and safe,” which implied that Bitcoin would not be one of them.

Meanwhile, since Donald Trump’s victory, the crypto world is holding its breath for a Bitcoin Reserve.

Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming is ramping up support to turn part of the US Treasury’s gold into Bitcoin to form a strategic reserve.

States like Texas, Illinois, Utah are competing to become the first state to establish a Bitcoin reserve.

Explore: How Is US Bitcoin Reserve Shaping Up In Trump’s America?

Free Bitcoin Crash Course

  • Enjoyed by over 100,000 students.
  • One email a day, 7 days in a row.
  • Short and educational, guaranteed!

Why you can trust 99Bitcoins

10+ Years

Established in 2013, 99Bitcoin’s team members have been crypto experts since Bitcoin’s Early days.

90hr+

Weekly Research

100k+

Monthly readers

50+

Expert contributors

2000+

Crypto Projects Reviewed

Google News Icon
Follow 99Bitcoins on your Google News Feed
Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now!
Subscribe now
Akriti Seth
Akriti Seth
Senior Editor

Akriti Seth is a Zurich-based Business Journalist and Crypto Editor. Her passion for journalism has taken her across the globe – from thriving as an on-television correspondent to writing engaging articles, she has worked for companies like Informa UK, Bloomberg... Read More

Back to top