• The European Central Bank (ECB) is determining the maximum balance for Digital Euro wallets, and consultations involving retailers, consumers, and banks are being conducted to finalize this limit.
• The ECB aims to balance monetary policy and economic factors, with discussions considering a range between 500 euros and 3,000 euros.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is deliberating over the maximum balance citizens can hold in their Digital Euro wallets, a decision that will be finalized upon the digital currency’s introduction. In an interim report released Monday, the ECB disclosed its intention to consult with retailers, consumers, and banks before determining the holding limit.

Initial discussions have already commenced, with further consultations scheduled over the next few months. The ECB aims to balance monetary policy objectives and economic factors when setting the limit. Burkhard Balz, a board member of the Bundesbank, indicated earlier in June that discussions for the maximum balance range between 500 and 3,000 euros.

According to the Crypto News Flash report, there were talks about an expiration date for the digital Euro.

The Digital Euro aims to complement cash as a form of currency. It is designed partly to mitigate the growing dominance of US tech giants in digital payments like PayPal and Apple Pay and the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

However, the bigger question is whether imposing such usage restrictions will allow Digital Euro to compete with decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Unlike fiat, Bitcoin offers true financial empowerment to its users without any government intervention. Despite being inflationary for now, Bitcoin has a finite supply of 21 million, which makes it a very strong store of value.

ECB Currently Reviewing Digital Euro

The European Central Bank (ECB) has initiated the preparatory phase for the digital euro following its approval in October. During this phase, regulations will be finalized, and providers will be selected to develop the necessary platform and infrastructure. The preparatory phase, which commenced in early November, will initially span two years. As CNF reported earlier this year, the ECB has also been working on offline payments for the Digital Euro.

Simultaneously, ECB Director Piero Cipollone underscored the urgency of concluding EU legislation swiftly in a letter published on Monday to Irene Tinagli, Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (Econ) of the European Parliament. Cipollone emphasized the importance of promptly enabling a digital public payment method across the euro area to enhance collective resilience and autonomy.

The EU Commission proposed legislation for the Digital Euro in June 2023, projecting that it could be operational by 2028.

Earlier this month, in June, Europe conducted its largest Bitcoin conference, with non-custodial Bitcoin-backed lending platform Debifi announcing its key plans, per the CNF report.