The European Central Bank (ECB) has named the technology providers for five core components of the digital euro, marking a key milestone in its preparation phase. The framework agreements follow a competitive tender launched in January 2024, with top-ranked firms now tasked with building the infrastructure for Europe’s central bank digital currency.
Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) will lead development of the offline payment solution, a feature the ECB describes as essential for privacy and resilience. G+D said the solution would enable “offline payments with no third-party involvement,” ensuring “privacy and resilience as only cash does today”. A second provider for offline payments will be announced in due course.
For alias lookup and app development, Sapient and Tremend Software Consulting were selected as first-ranked providers, with equensWorldline named second for alias lookup. Almaviva and Fabrick will also lead on app and SDK development. Feedzai and Capgemini Deutschland will handle risk and fraud management, while Senacor FCS and equensWorldline will support secure exchange of payment information.
The ECB clarified that service requests will initially go to the first-ranked provider, with second-ranked firms engaged only if needed. No payments are involved at this stage, and the agreements include safeguards to adapt to legislative changes.
A final decision on issuing the digital euro depends on the adoption of the Digital Euro Regulation. The ECB Governing Council will decide on the next phase in due course, it said.
