The European Central Bank (ECB) is considering the introduction of the digital euro and plans to test the idea with a pilot project starting in mid-October.
"Europeans are increasingly turning to digital spending, savings and investment," said ECB President Christine Lagarde.
"Our role is to ensure trust in money. This means examining whether the euro corresponds to the digital age. We should be ready to issue a digital euro, if necessary, "said the head of the ECB.
According to the ECB's plan, the digital euro would be similar to bitcoin, but unlike other cryptocurrencies, it would be supervised by the central bank.
Digital currencies use blockchain technology, ie large files with transaction data. The digital euro would also be based on that technology, and would be used in internet transactions.
The digital version of the common European currency would be available to all citizens and companies in the eurozone, the ECB explains, adding that it would be "similar to banknotes, but in digital form".
The ECB envisioned it as a cash supplement, not a replacement.
Talks on the idea with citizens, academics, the financial sector and governments are planned to assess their needs.
The public consultation and trial phase will begin on October 12, the ECB announced.
Digitalni euro ne bi bio kriptovaluta već prava digitalna zamjena za novčanice. Trebao bi biti jednostavan, univerzalno prihvaćen, siguran, bez rizika, ali ne bi zamijenio gotovinu već joj bio nadopuna. Mogao bi se koristiti u ekstremnim situacijama, primjerice ako ljudi zbog pandemije ne budu više toliko skloni fizičkim novčanicama i kovanicama. Digitalni bi euro pomogao i u sprječavanju pranja novca i financiranja terorizma, ali kao jedan od najvećih izazova ECB ističe upravo privatnost korisnika.