"The introduction of new technologies has drastically altered the financial ecosystem. Many central banks have begun to investigate the feasibility of introducing a digital currency to supplement cash and provide an efficient and risk-free solution. The Eurosystem also launched the digital euro project's analysis phase in October 2021, with a final phase ending in October, when the ECB's Governing Council will decide whether to begin the implementation phase. The analysis activities are proceeding on schedule: many of the digital euro's functionalities have already been defined, prototypes have been created, and market research has been conducted in close collaboration with European authorities and the market ". These are the words of Ignazio Visco, governor of the Bank of Italy, who was questioned yesterday by the Finance Commission of the Chamber of Deputies about the Bank of Italy's activities. "The Bank of Italy," Visco added, "contributes to the definition of the technical characteristics to be adopted if the project is decided to proceed to the implementation phase."