The European Central Bank has secured key agreements with tech partners to develop offline payment capabilities for its digital euro, aiming to replicate cash’s privacy and resilience in digital form.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has wrapped up its framework agreements with several tech partners for key parts of its digital euro project. Notably, it’s secured an offline payment solution through a collaboration led by Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), working alongside Nexi and Capgemini. This is a pretty important milestone on the road toward actually making the digital euro a reality—especially considering the project’s focus on offline capabilities. I mean, offline features are core here, mimicking cash’s privacy and resilience, which are pretty hard to replicate digital-wise.

The offline payment setup will allow users to carry out transactions directly between devices—like smartphones or cards—without needing internet or even power. It's sort of a peer-to-peer system that’s aimed at respecting user privacy by keeping payment info from being recorded by banks, payment providers, or even the ECB itself. As per the ECB, these features are crucial to maintaining the benefits people currently get from physical cash, like universal access and greater flexibility when paying within the euro zone.

G+D, with its deep experience in security tech and currency systems, will take the lead on designing and developing this offline part. They’re partnering with Nexi, which has expertise in payment tech and point-of-sale systems, and Capgemini, known for consulting and digital transformation services. Together, they aim to integrate this offline feature into the wider digital euro architecture and the Digital Euro Service Platform (DESP). The ECB sees this multi-layered integration as essential for building a sturdy, resilient digital currency infrastructure.

And just to clarify, while they’ve signed the framework agreements, no payments have actually been exchanged at this stage. The project scope is still flexible, especially with legislative changes in the mix. These agreements cover five core components of the digital euro. G+D, Nexi, and Capgemini are leading the charge for the offline solution, but other providers have also been chosen to work on fraud management, app and software development, and secure data exchange.

Addressing privacy and operational resilience, especially in situations where connectivity is limited—these offline features really tackle some of the key concerns people have with digital payments. Dr. Wolfram Seidemann, CEO of G+D Currency Technology, called this milestone significant because it shows how committed the industry is to innovating without compromising security or privacy. Renato Martini from Nexi highlighted how important it is to be able to make seamless payments even when devices are offline, emphasizing that a reliable, resilient infrastructure is critical for the digital euro’s success.

Overall, the digital euro isn’t intended to replace cash or banknotes but to complement them—giving folks more options for everyday transactions. By integrating offline capabilities, the Eurosystem hopes to make sure that the digital euro upholds the same level of universal accessibility and trust that physical cash has enjoyed across the eurozone over the years.


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Source: Noah Wire Services

Verification / Sources

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is based on a recent press release from the European Central Bank (ECB) dated 2 October 2025, announcing the selection of Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), Nexi, and Capgemini for the digital euro's offline payment solution. (ecb.europa.eu) This indicates high freshness.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from Dr. Wolfram Seidemann, CEO of G+D Currency Technology, and Renato Martini, Digital Banking Solutions Director of Nexi Group. These quotes are consistent with those found in the official press release, confirming their authenticity. (ecb.europa.eu)

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable source, the European Central Bank (ECB), which is a credible and authoritative institution in the financial sector. This enhances the reliability of the information presented.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims made in the narrative align with the official announcement from the ECB regarding the selection of G+D, Nexi, and Capgemini for the digital euro's offline payment solution. The details provided are consistent with the official press release, indicating high plausibility. (ecb.europa.eu)

Overall assessment

Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is based on a recent and original press release from the European Central Bank, featuring authentic quotes from key stakeholders. The source is highly reliable, and the claims made are plausible and consistent with official information. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.