With Trump’s backing for stablecoins, ECB insiders are pushing for a CBDC alternative to match the competition.
For some reason, the European Central Bank (ECB) believes that banks within the bloc need a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), precisely the Digital euro, to match up with Donald Trump’s stablecoin promotion. According to Reuters, Piero Cipollone, one of the ECB board members, Trump’s Executive Order promoting dollar-backed stablecoins would be to the disadvantage of European banks.
“This solution, you all know, further disintermediates banks as they lose fees, they lose clients…That’s why we need a digital euro,” Cipollone noted.
Struggle Between Stablecoins And Digital Euro
The executive order could draw customers away from EU banks, hence the need for the ECB to develop an alternative in the form of a national digital currency. President Trump’s plan with the executive order is to “promote the development and growth of lawful and legitimate dollar-backed stablecoins worldwide.”
Stablecoins are digital assets that function similarly to money market funds, considering that they offer exposure to short-term interest rates. Oftentimes, they are backed by the US dollar. Some of the most popular stablecoins are USDT, USDC, PYUSD, and Ripple’s most recent release, RLUSD.
Unlike stablecoins, CBDC (digital euro) serves as an online fund guaranteed by a body, in this case, the ECB. It will be operated by entities such as banks but would enable individuals, including those without bank accounts, to make payments.
Users will have access to holdings likely capped at a few thousand euros but do not accrue any interest.
Trump And ECB Holds Conflicting Views About CBDCs
On the flip side, EU banks are concerned that the presence of a digital euro may influence customers to transfer funds to ECB-backed wallets.
In the long run, this will reduce bank deposits. Still, the ECB is analyzing how practical it is to implement the digital euro. The final decision and legislative approval are left to European lawmakers.
In addition to the series of executive orders he signed, President Trump has banned the Federal Reserve from creating a CBDC.
Notably, this is a far cry from how the Europeans feel about CBDCs. The president has always been an outspoken critic of CBDCs. He once labeled them “very dangerous” and asserted in July 2024 that “there will never be a CBDC while I’m president of the United States.”
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 President Trump says Vivek Ramaswamy told him about the dangers of a CBDC and promises to never allow it if elected. pic.twitter.com/JKjAGY18F2
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) January 23, 2024
In contrast, Trump is keen on defending the right to self-custody of digital assets. This has earned him immense support because the sentiment resonates strongly with many in the crypto community.
Crypto Firms Receive Approval Under EU MiCA
Meanwhile, the EU’s Market in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation, which oversees stablecoins, went into effect on December 30. The rule introduces strict oversight for businesses dealing with digital assets. The framework requires all crypto-focused companies operating within the EU to be licensed.
Some crypto-related companies have taken a step towards obtaining the MiCA approval to offer their services in the European Union. US-based blockchain payment company MoonPay officially secured an operational license to enter the Dutch market under MiCA immediately after it became effective.
Similarly, HashKey’s EU arm received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Ireland’s Central Bank under MiCA.
next