In an interview with FOCUS online, Bundesbank Executive Board member Burkhard Balz explains why the digital euro is necessary and the challenges involved. Our objective as Eurosystem central banks is to launch a pilot operation in mid-2027. As before, we still expect the digital euro to go live in 2029, Mr Balz said.

“In a globally interconnected world, autonomy is an illusion,” Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel told the German “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” newspaper. But even so, Europe still needed to invest in certain areas in order to become more independent. Interviewed jointly with Martin Kocher, Governor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, they also spoke about the debt ratios of euro area countries, proposals for fiscal consolidation, and central bank independence.

“The digital euro will make us more independent and more resilient,” Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” newspaper. A combination of cash and the digital euro will equip Germany best for the future and for critical situations. Nagel also used the interview to discuss the effects of US tariff policy and the opportunity it might present for Europe as an investment location.

“Further reform of the debt brake is right and necessary. In its current form, it cannot safeguard sound government finances or the EU rules,” said Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel in an interview with “Der Spiegel”. Topics covered included the Bundesbank’s current proposal for a reform of the debt brake, the digital euro and Germany’s economic growth.

Der digitale Euro soll im Grunde ein digitaler Zwilling unseres Bargelds werden. Er würde das Bezahlen im Euroraum einfacher, einheitlicher und sicherer machen, ob im Supermarkt, beim Online-Shopping oder Geldversand an Freunde. Er ist eine All-in-one-Lösung.