EU lawmakers raise concerns over digital euro after ECB payment system failure

EU lawmakers raised concerns about the digital euro project after a major failure in the ECB’s payment system, Target 2, which caused delays in transactions. Critics question the ECB's ability to manage the project, with some demanding improved systems before moving forward.

EU Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Digital Euro After ECB Payment System Failure

The European Central Bank (ECB) faces renewed scrutiny over its digital euro initiative following a significant outage in its Target 2 (T2) payment system, which caused delays in transactions for thousands of households and traders. The breakdown, which occurred late last month, highlighted issues with the ECB's ability to manage critical infrastructure after an initial misdiagnosis delayed the resolution.

Several lawmakers, including Markus Ferber from the European People's Party, expressed concerns about the ECB’s credibility, questioning whether it could successfully manage the digital euro project. “How can the ECB run a digital euro when it struggles to keep daily operations running smoothly?” Ferber remarked.

Despite assurances that the digital euro would function similarly to the ECB's more reliable instant payment system, TIPS, lawmakers remain cautious. They stress that the ECB must restore public trust to avoid jeopardizing the project’s success. Some, like Rasmus Andresen of the Greens, emphasized the importance of improving the bank’s systems. The European Commission proposed digital euro legislation in 2023, but progress has stalled, with resistance from both lawmakers and bankers, who worry about the impact on traditional financial institutions.

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