[European Central Bank Launches Digital Euro Innovation Project to Explore AI-Agent Payments and Machine-to-Machine Transactions] Odaily Planet Daily News: The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced the launch of a new round of applications for its digital euro innovation platform, inviting fintech companies, payment institutions, and other organizations to explore AI agents participating in digital euro payments. The project will be divided into two parts: practical testing and future application workshops. Practical testing will take place from January to June 2027, during which participants will develop prototypes for functionalities such as electronic receipts, multi-party transactions, and conditional payments. The workshops will focus on AI payments, micropayments, machine-to-machine transactions, and the application of the digital euro in public services. Additionally, the ECB has selected 36 banks and payment institutions, including Revolut, Stripe, and Deutsche Bank, to participate in another 12-month digital euro pilot program, which is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2027. The final issuance of the digital euro will still require EU legislation and subsequent decisions by the ECB. (Cointelegraph)