According to CoinMeta, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced that it will launch a 12-month pilot program for the digital euro in the second half of 2027, inviting e-commerce and m-commerce merchants to participate. Participating merchants will test a simulated version of the digital euro, covering the technology, operational processes, and user experience required for payments. The test currency does not have the status of legal tender and will only be used within the pilot program. ECB and staff from central banks around the world will participate as consumers to test the system under controlled conditions. This pilot is aimed at providing practical information for a possible issuance of the digital euro in 2029.