European commission

A group of six EU nations, led by the Netherlands, Germany, and France, has urged the European Commission to fast-track the introduction of a digital euro to bolster the bloc's global competitiveness. In a joint letter, the finance ministers argued that a digital currency is essential for a "sovereign and resilient" payments landscape that reduces dependence on non-EU systems. Beyond the digital euro, the proposals call for a more integrated capital market, unified EU-level supervision of major stock exchanges, and improved funding for start-ups. These recommendations are intended to set the agenda for next Thursday’s EU summit, where leaders will discuss how to strengthen Europe's economic independence and long-term growth potential.