[ECB: Digital Euro Targeted for 2029 Issuance, Pilot Program to Launch in Second Half of 2027] Odaily Planet Daily reports that European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board member Piero Cipollone stated that the digital euro pilot program is planned to launch in the second half of 2027, lasting 12 months, with 36 service providers participating. The pilot will test the technology and coordinate collaboration among service providers, merchants, the central bank, infrastructure operators, and users. Legislative negotiations related to the digital euro are currently underway between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission, and are expected to conclude this year. If the negotiations are successfully completed, the ECB aims to issue the digital euro in 2029. (Bitcoin.com News)