European financial officials have expressed concerns that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s embrace of digital assets—particularly dollar-pegged stablecoins—could pose risks to Europe’s monetary sovereignty and financial stability.
Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), highlighted these concerns during a press conference at the Eurogroup meeting on March 10. “The U.S. administration is supportive of digital currencies, especially dollar-backed stablecoins, which raises some concerns in Europe,” he stated.
Gramegna warned that the U.S. shift toward digital assets could revive attempts by major American and foreign tech firms to launch mass payment solutions based on dollar-backed stablecoins. “If successful, this could impact the eurozone’s monetary sovereignty and financial stability,” he added.
He further emphasized the urgency for Europe to develop its own digital euro, stating that the ESM fully supports the European Central Bank’s (ECB) efforts to make the digital euro a reality. “Now more than ever, the digital euro is essential to safeguarding Europe’s strategic independence,” he asserted.
Strengthening Support for the Digital Euro
Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe echoed these concerns, warning that policy developments in other jurisdictions could have significant consequences for Europe. “These discussions are fundamentally tied to our monetary independence and the resilience of our currency,” he explained, adding that the ECB’s digital currency (CBDC) is now critical to maintaining Europe’s competitive edge.
In February, the ECB announced plans to expand its development of a CBDC-based payment system for institutional transactions. Since 2020, the central bank has been exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), including a consumer-oriented digital euro and a wholesale version for cross-border settlements.
A Divergence Between Europe and the U.S.
In contrast, Trump has taken a strong stance against a Federal Reserve-issued CBDC. In January, he signed an executive order establishing a digital assets task force while explicitly prohibiting the creation, issuance, or use of a U.S. CBDC.
Meanwhile, the ECB has dismissed the idea of adding Bitcoin to its reserves or allowing European central banks to do so. In late January, ECB President Christine Lagarde reiterated that central bank reserves must remain “liquid, safe, and secure,” which excludes digital assets. She also expressed confidence that Bitcoin would not be included in the ECB’s reserves.
As the global financial landscape continues to evolve, Europe remains cautious about the rise of digital assets, focusing instead on launching the digital euro as a means to protect financial stability and monetary sovereignty.
