Odaily Planet Daily reports: European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde stated that the eurozone's inflation rate in September was 3.8%, primarily driven by high energy costs, and the ECB expects these pressures to ease next year.
She noted that energy shocks could keep inflation in the euro area above the ECB's target until the first half of 2027, but a cautious policy response remains appropriate at this time.
Christine Lagarde stated that the ECB is preparing a digital euro for everyday retail payments and as a digital complement to cash. She noted that the digital euro will further promote innovation and competition in the retail payments sector.
The ECB has launched Pontes, enabling financial institutions to settle wholesale tokenized asset transactions using central bank money; the system initially offers core services, with full implementation expected by 2028. (Cointelegraph)