Christophe De Beukelaer, President of Les Engagés Bruxelles Party, expressed concerns regarding the European Central Bank’s (ECB) development of a digital euro. He described it as unnecessary and problematic, suggesting it is a reaction to the U.S. approach to cryptocurrency technology. The statement was made on X.
“After demonizing Bitcoin and cryptos, thus preventing € stablecoins from emerging, the ECB is panicking in the face of the $, which, on the contrary, is embracing this new tech,” said De Beukelaer. “To cover up this mistake and this blindness, it is inventing the digital euro, which is useless, costly, and dangerous waste.”
Recent policy developments have seen the ECB transition from an investigation phase to a preparation phase in 2024 for the digital euro. The ECB aims to provide a secure digital currency option that complements cash while enhancing financial sovereignty within the European Union (EU). According to the ECB, ongoing debates among EU policymakers focus on privacy, security, and potential impacts on banks. The ECB emphasizes that the digital euro is crucial for maintaining monetary autonomy and public trust in an increasingly digital economy.
The European Central Bank reported that a 2024 public consultation revealed 55% of Europeans are aware of the digital euro, with 43% supporting its introduction provided there are strong privacy protections. Several pilot projects, including the ECB’s digital euro prototype and the European Payments Initiative, have tested features like digital wallets and merchant acceptance in major EU countries, indicating growing interest and ongoing development.
As noted by the Bank for International Settlements, efforts toward digital currency in the Eurozone are advancing through government-led pilots, with 80% of Eurozone central banks involved in Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) research. In contrast, the U.S. remains focused on private stablecoins amid ongoing Congressional debate over a retail CBDC. This contrast highlights Europe’s more unified public sector approach compared to the U.S.’s fragmented market-driven adoption.
According to Les Engagés Bruxelles’ official site, Christophe De Beukelaer serves as President of Les Engagés Bruxelles Party and has previously been a Brussels Regional Parliament member and city councilor. Known for his focus on digital innovation, he gained attention as the first European politician to take his salary in Bitcoin and is recognized for modernizing his party’s platforms.
Les Engagés Bruxelles was founded in its current form in 2022 as a centrist movement promoting citizen participation, transparency, and sustainable development in Brussels. Its organizational structure includes a president, executive committee, and thematic working groups rooted in Belgium’s Christian Democratic tradition with a renewed civic mission for local governance.
