70 economists urge EU to ‘let the public interest prevail’ on digital euro

Seventy economists urge EU lawmakers to back a public digital euro, warning private stablecoins and foreign payment firms threaten Europe’s monetary sovereignty.

Seventy economists and policy experts have called on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to back a digital euro that clearly serves the public interest, arguing that it is crucial for Europe’s monetary sovereignty and for guaranteeing access to central bank money in an increasingly cash‑light economy. 

The open letter, published on Sunday and titled “The Digital Euro: Let the public interest prevail!” warns that without a strong public option, private stablecoins and foreign payment giants could gain even greater influence over Europe’s digital payments.

​The signatories, including former executive board director for the European Union at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), José Leandro, and French economist Thomas Piketty, describe the proposed central bank digital currency (CBDC) as a public good.

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