Europe's betting big on a digital euro – and officials say it's not just about modernizing payments. According to central bank executive Piero Cipollone and EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, this CBDC push is really about financial sovereignty. Their pitch? In a world where digital currencies are reshaping global finance, Europe can't afford to sit on the sidelines. The digital euro project isn't merely a tech upgrade – it's positioned as a strategic play to keep Europe competitive and independent in the digital economy. Whether that vision materializes depends on how regulators, banks, and citizens actually respond when it rolls out.