According to CoinMeta, the European Central Bank (ECB) has reiterated its commitment to promoting the digital euro in order to reduce dependence on foreign payment providers. A pilot project is planned for 2027, with a possible launch in 2029. Piero Cipolloni, a member of the Executive Board of the ECB, stated that Europe needs its own payment infrastructure to ensure that financial services can continue to operate without relying on external companies. He pointed out that the growing use of digital payments is one of the main reasons why Europe needs to replace the existing payment systems. According to data from CoinMeta, online payments in Italy accounted for 24% of total payments in 2024, compared to only 6% in 2019. The digital euro will provide consumers and businesses with a payment option that operates on an infrastructure controlled by Europe, and it is expected to improve competition and reduce costs for small businesses.