Key Signals from the ECB Conference Money in Transition

On 15 June 2026, the Digital Euro Association attended the ECB conference Money in Transition: Digitalisation and Innovation in Payments in Frankfurt, where policymakers, central bankers, regulators, academics, and industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of digital money and financial market infrastructures in Europe.

Several themes stood out across the discussions.

Tokenization continues to move from experimentation toward implementation, with increasing attention on how tokenized assets can settle in central bank money and operate at scale.

Sovereignty and resilience emerged as recurring priorities, shaping conversations around the digital euro, payment infrastructures, wholesale settlement, and cross-border transactions.

Stablecoins also featured prominently throughout the day. Rather than debating whether they matter, discussions increasingly focused on their role within the future payments ecosystem and their implications for Europe's competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

Another clear message was that interoperability will be critical. Whether in payments, tokenized finance, or digital currencies, the ability of systems to work together remains one of the industry's biggest challenges.

While these topics are not new, the tone of the discussions suggests that the focus is gradually shifting from exploration toward implementation.

Below, you can find a selection of photos from the event.

DEA members have received a detailed conference briefing covering the key discussions, policy signals, and implications for the digital euro, tokenization, stablecoins, and Europe's evolving digital money landscape.

Interested in staying ahead of developments in digital money? Explore DEA membership opportunities and join a community of policymakers, financial institutions, technology providers, academics, and industry experts shaping the future of money.

➡️ Explore DEA membership opportunities: https://digital-euro-association.de/membership-opportunities