ITALIAN TECH FIRMS SECURE KEY ROLE IN DIGITAL EURO ROLLOUT
The European Central Bank (ECB) has appointed Italian technology leaders Almaviva and Fabrick to spearhead the development of the Digital Euro’s mobile app and core infrastructure, in a deal worth up to €153 million.
The landmark project will give every EU citizen seamless access to Europe’s upcoming digital currency, through an official app that works across smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. The initiative underscores Europe’s ambition to strengthen its technological sovereignty while ensuring that the transition to digital payments is inclusive, secure, and efficient.
A European-Wide App for All Citizens
The Digital Euro, issued and guaranteed by the Eurosystem, is being designed as a complement to cash rather than a replacement. The ECB’s vision is to make payments simpler, safer, and more accessible for citizens across the euro area, while maintaining financial inclusion.
The new app, developed by Almaviva and Fabrick, will be uniform across all EU countries, ensuring that residents can use it for electronic payments in shops, online, or between individuals. With its intuitive and user-friendly interface, it is expected to become one of the most significant digital financial tools ever rolled out in Europe.
Open Infrastructure for Payment Providers
Beyond consumer-facing functionality, the Digital Euro platform will feature an open and interoperable infrastructure. By providing SDKs (software development kits) and APIs (application programming interfaces), the system will allow European Payment Service Providers to integrate their services smoothly. This approach is expected to foster widespread adoption of the new currency, stimulate innovation across the payments ecosystem, and reduce reliance on non-European infrastructure.
Contract Details and Timelines
The contract, awarded through a tender restricted to European companies, is structured as a four-year framework agreement with the option of extensions up to ten years. The initial phase will focus on app and infrastructure development, including the gradual rollout of various use cases over the first two years. The following two years will consolidate operations and ensure stability.
If extended, the agreement could run for up to a decade, covering the completion of all planned functionalities, long-term user growth, and ongoing maintenance and technical support. The maximum potential value of the framework is estimated at around €153 million.
Strengthening Europe’s Strategic Autonomy
The Digital Euro project is seen as a milestone for European financial and technological independence. By keeping the design, build, and infrastructure within Europe, the ECB aims to safeguard monetary sovereignty, improve resilience against cyber threats, and enhance the overall efficiency of the financial system.
For Almaviva and Fabrick, both headquartered in Italy, the contract represents a major opportunity to showcase their expertise on a continental scale. Almaviva has built its reputation as a leading digital innovation group, while Fabrick — part of the Sella Group — has become a recognised player in Open Finance at an international level. Together, their joint venture combines deep technical capability with financial sector experience.
Looking Ahead
The digital euro represents far more than a new means of payment. It symbolises a further step toward European cohesion, promoting innovation in the fintech sector and ensuring that citizens across the eurozone can benefit from cutting-edge technology without compromising on security or inclusion.
As Europe moves closer to launching its official digital currency, the work of Almaviva and Fabrick will be central in shaping how hundreds of millions of people engage with money in the digital age.
