meta_id 3299621

On July 2026, the European Central Bank (ECB) published its sixth progress report on the digital euro scheme's Rulebook Development Group (RDG), detailing work conducted between November 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. The report updates stakeholders on the development of the digital euro scheme rulebook, which will establish standardised rules, procedures and technical standards for digital euro payments across the euro area. Between July and October 2025, the ECB concluded a four-month market consultation on the interim draft rulebook (version 0.9), receiving 4,009 comments from RDG members and their constituents. The RDG comprises senior representatives from European retail payments market associations representing consumers, merchants, payment service providers (PSPs) and third-party service providers, alongside euro area national central banks and observers from EU institutions. Of the comments received, 68 percent have been addressed through amendments to the draft rulebook or clarifications provided. A further 28 percent relate to ongoing work scheduled for 2026, while only 1 percent were ultimately disregarded where they conflicted with design decisions or the draft Digital Euro Regulation. The ECB released an updated interim draft rulebook (version 0.91) incorporating market feedback, with improvements to functional requirements, technical specifications, user journeys and minimum user experience requirements. The rulebook now integrates user journeys, wireframes and minimum user experience requirements into the functional requirements section, providing PSPs with comprehensive guidance on digital euro services. In April 2026, the ECB signed agreements with three European standardisation bodies—the European Card Payment Cooperation (ECPC), nexo and the Berlin Group—to leverage existing open technical standards for digital euro payments. The ECB is pursuing a similar agreement with the European Payments Council (EPC). In March 2026, the RDG launched two new workstreams: workstream B1 to develop a certification and approval framework, and workstream G5 to develop implementation specifications for automated teller machines (ATMs) and payment terminals. The ECB anticipates these workstreams will commence work in May 2026. The final rulebook will be completed following adoption of the Digital Euro Regulation by co-legislators. REFERENCES: European Central Bank. "Update on the work of the digital euro scheme's Rulebook Development Group Sixth progress report, July 2026." Available at: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/timeline/rulebook/html/index.en.html