Legal structure of the digital Euro

This thesis explores the comprehensive legal, technical, and regulatory aspects derived from the upcoming implementation and issuance of the digital euro, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed by the European Union. To achieve so, this study provides relevant context on the current legal scenario for digital payments, including the applicable law that needs to be considered, the emergence of new digital means of payment, and the opportunity for the issuance of a CBDC in the euro zone. To achieve a holistic analysis on the legal structure of the digital euro, this thesis is structured into seven chapters, one for each of the relevant themes included in the Proposal for the establishment of the digital euro. Thus, key aspects such as the legal tender status of the digital euro, its interaction with euro banknotes and coins, as well as its validity as a means of payment within the European Union are addressed, intertwined with other related topics, such as its distribution, the technical features is set to offer, and the improvements in terms of privacy that the digital manifestation of the single currency is meant to bring to the citizenry of the European Union. The conclusion of this thesis evaluates the prospected changes in the text of the Proposal, as identified in the previous chapters, as well as the recommendations of legal nature that have been provided through the analysis in the thesis. Finally, future lines of research are identified to complete the study of the legal implications of the issuance of the digital euro.