ECB Seeks Experts for Digital Euro Offline Payment Development

The European Central Bank (ECB) is seeking expertise from the mobile technology sector to help develop an offline payment model for the digital euro.

The ECB aims to explore how the digital euro can be used offline through embedded Secure Elements (eSE) and embedded SIMs (eSIMs) in user devices.

To gather insights into the market, technical, and business challenges, the ECB is reaching out to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and Trusted Service Managers.

As it progresses through a two-year preparation phase for the potential launch of a digital euro, the ECB is focusing on the technical feasibility of offline payments and the strategies for testing and implementation.

The central bank plans to hold a series of 60-minute closed sessions with its digital euro project team from September 16th to 30th.

These discussions will address the technical aspects of deploying applets on embedded Secure Elements and the related business considerations, including the roles and setup of involved parties.