Poste Italiane, Italy’s state-owned postal and financial services provider, could be instrumental in the final phase of the digital euro rollout, according to Piero Cipollone, a member of the European Central Bank (ECB) executive board.
Speaking at an online event hosted by ASviS, Cipollone said that Poste Italiane’s massive client base and existing infrastructure make it a natural candidate to help with the “last mile” of deploying the digital euro to the public. The suggestion highlights the ECB’s growing focus on partnerships with trusted institutions to deliver its central bank digital currency (CBDC) effectively and at scale.
“Poste Italiane has millions of clients and can easily provide support access to the digital euro,” Cipollone noted, underscoring the company’s potential to bridge the gap between the ECB and everyday users. With operations already extending beyond postal services into banking, insurance, and payment systems, Poste Italiane is well-positioned to handle this transformative task.
The ECB’s push for a digital euro is driven by declining cash usage and the growing dominance of private digital payment platforms. Cipollone emphasized that the digital euro would complement, not replace, physical cash, offering a state-backed alternative for digital transactions in a future dominated by mobile and card payments.
If development and regulatory milestones are met, the first digital euro transactions could take place by mid-2028. The ECB is currently in its preparation phase, exploring everything from technical infrastructure to privacy and financial inclusion.
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