The European Central Bank (ECB) has selected payments technology company Nexi and telecommunications provider Deutsche Telekom as one of the connectivity providers for the planned digital euro infrastructure under a 10-year agreement. The partnership will support the development and operation of the network connecting the digital euro platform with financial institutions and other authorized participants across the euro area.
Nexi, working alongside Deutsche Telekom through a temporary joint grouping, secured the contract following the ECB’s negotiated public procurement process for Network Service Provider (NSP) connectivity. The two companies will also provide network services for the digital euro pilot project.
Spain’s Telefónica, together with technology company Minsait, has been identified as the second connectivity provider. Its contract is expected to begin in May 2027.
The selection represents an important step in establishing the digital infrastructure required to support the digital euro, with Nexi and Deutsche Telekom responsible for providing secure and reliable connectivity across the European payment ecosystem.
Digital Euro Platform to Receive Dedicated Network Infrastructure
The network developed by Nexi and Deutsche Telekom will connect the data centers hosting the components of the Digital Euro Service Platform (DESP). It will also provide external participants, including payment service providers and national central banks, with access to the platform.
The connectivity infrastructure is expected to serve as a critical component of the digital euro’s technical architecture, allowing different institutions and service providers to communicate with the central platform and process transactions.
Nexi indicated that its joint solution with Deutsche Telekom combines network connectivity with a mediation platform designed to facilitate the end-to-end exchange of digital euro transactions throughout the DESP ecosystem.
The architecture has been designed to accommodate changing transaction volumes and periods of increased demand. Its capacity can be adjusted according to network requirements, helping maintain consistent service availability as participation and transaction activity expand.
This scalability is particularly important for a digital currency infrastructure intended to support payments involving consumers, merchants, banks and public institutions across multiple European countries.
By establishing dedicated connectivity between the platform’s data centers and external participants, the solution aims to support reliable communication and transaction processing throughout the digital euro ecosystem.
Partnership Supports Europe’s Digital Sovereignty
Nexi Group CEO Bernardo Mingrone described the contract award as a significant milestone for the company and its position as an infrastructure provider in Europe’s payments industry.
He indicated that the digital euro represents an important initiative for the future of European payments and could contribute to strengthening the region’s digital sovereignty.
Mingrone also noted that the 10-year agreement reflected Nexi’s technological capabilities and its experience supporting banks, businesses and financial institutions throughout the euro area.
The partnership places Nexi in a long-term infrastructure role within an initiative led by the ECB, extending its involvement beyond conventional merchant payment processing and digital banking services.
Deutsche Telekom also highlighted the importance of secure and resilient digital infrastructure for Europe’s financial ecosystem.
Gottfried Ludewig, the company’s senior vice president and leader of its public sector and health industry operations, said the collaboration builds on Deutsche Telekom’s involvement in strategic European technology initiatives.
These include European quantum communication infrastructure and the IRIS² satellite program, both of which are intended to strengthen Europe’s technological independence and digital capabilities.
Digital Euro Development Enters Another Infrastructure Phase
The appointment of the connectivity providers marks further progress in preparing the technical foundations for the digital euro. Reliable network infrastructure will be essential for connecting participating institutions and enabling the exchange of payment information across the system.
The 10-year agreement also highlights the ECB’s focus on developing resilient European payment infrastructure that can operate at scale while reducing dependence on external technology ecosystems.
Nexi, which is listed on Euronext Milan, operates across three principal business segments: merchant solutions, issuing solutions and digital banking solutions.
Its participation in the digital euro project could strengthen its position in Europe’s evolving payment infrastructure market, while Deutsche Telekom brings telecommunications expertise and experience in large-scale digital infrastructure projects.
The two companies will now contribute to the connectivity framework supporting the digital euro pilot and the broader development of the ECB‘s digital currency infrastructure.