President of Les Engagés Bruxelles Party: ECB's digital euro is 'useless, costly, and dangerous waste'

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.