“It didn’t go unnoticed in Frankfurt that Visa and Mastercard suspended operations in Russia in March 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine……Thirteen of the 20 countries in the euro have no domestic card scheme. You use an international operator, or you pay in cash.”
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that the US is threatening to invade an EU country’s (Denmark) territory, either. Would a future President Trump or President Vance threaten to shut down European financial infrastructure if it opposes an annexation of Greenland? Who knows, but better to take away that opportunity for leverage.
The plan is that you can link it to your bank account or open a special account at post offices throughout the EU. There will be phone apps for payments and digital Euro debit cards. Visa/Mastercard & Apple/Google Pay typically charge 3% fees; the digital Euro will have none. That will ensure it is speedily adopted by retailers and quickly supplants the US providers. Also worth noting its technology will be 100% European only, leaving zero vulnerability/leverage to non-Europeans.
Yeah, for the merchants. If you were about to pay for €200 of groceries and had this card and a Visa card that gave 3% back, which would you choose to use.
So merchants counter by the EU card getting a 4% discount over credit just like many do these days for cash. It’s easy to beat the rewards rate.
Some people have preferences based on morality and values rather than a pittance of insultingly low rewards.
Yep, with you there but people are people. They will see those rewards and go for it. It is the same reason why the JC Penny campaign to remove flashy sales and discounts and just price items lower failed.
Merchants and banks, and you bank may very well incentivise you