The Digital Euro — C1 English Lesson

Read first

Article extract

Money is changing at a pace that would have seemed unthinkable even a few years ago. In just the last ten years, credit cards, debit cards and mobile phones have displaced cash, with notes and coins being used less and less as physical money gives way to digital.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is now working towards the launch of the digital euro — an electronic version of public money — with the aim of providing a safe, secure public option for making digital payments. More than 130 countries are exploring or have already launched their own digital currency.

The digital euro will be stored in a virtual wallet and will not generate interest. It will function like cash: a balance that does not depend on the solvency of any financial institution. Crucially, it will also work without an internet connection, enabling payments in rural areas or during network outages.

In February 2026, the European Parliament endorsed the project, describing it as "essential to strengthening EU monetary sovereignty." A possible official launch is planned for 2029, provided test phases are satisfactory and financial stability is not threatened.

One of the biggest concerns is privacy. The ECB has proposed that neither governments nor central banks will be able to see citizens' transactions. The digital euro will also cap holdings at €3,000 per person to protect the banking system.

Read the full article on The Conversation

Exercise 1

Vocabulary match

Match each word or phrase from the article to its correct definition. Click a term on the left, then its definition on the right.

0 / 8

Exercise 2

Mixed tense practice

Choose the correct tense. Consider whether each sentence describes a past fact, a recent development, a future plan, or a hypothetical situation.

0 / 7

1. In the last ten years, mobile phones ___ cash in many European countries.

2. China ___ more than 7 trillion yuan in digital transactions to date.

3. The digital euro ___ interest, unlike a traditional savings account.

4. If citizens ___ their savings to digital euro wallets, banks would struggle to offer mortgages.

5. By 2029, the ECB ___ several pilot programmes across the eurozone.

6. In February 2026, the European Parliament formally ___ the digital euro project.

7. The ECB ___ on the digital euro's technical infrastructure since 2023.

Exercise 3

Comprehension

Select the best answer for each question. Wrong answers are eliminated one by one.

0 / 5

1. How does the digital euro differ fundamentally from a standard bank debit card?

2. Why has the ECB set a cap of approximately €3,000 per person?

3. What makes the digital euro's offline feature particularly significant?

4. According to the article, what is the main cybersecurity concern about the digital euro?

5. How does Europe's approach to transaction privacy differ from China's model?

Exercise 4

Critical thinking

Write 2–4 sentences for each question. Use evidence from the article and a range of grammatical structures. Click "Get AI feedback" for personalised C1-level comments.

1. The article says the digital euro "represents the natural evolution of public money." Do you agree? What might be lost as well as gained?

2. The article notes that 21% of Europeans aged 16–74 lack basic digital skills. What are the implications of this for the rollout of the digital euro, and how might policymakers address it?

3. To what extent should citizens trust that a state-issued digital currency will respect their privacy? Use the article's examples and your own reasoning.