Beschreibung: The digital euro high-level product design foresees the distribution of the digital
euro solution to individuals via two main channels: (1) in the form of a dedicated
mobile application, referred to as the “digital euro app” and (2) as an integrated
solution within existing proprietary applications (e.g., Payment Service provider
(PSP) app and online interface). The focus of this procurement procedure is the digital
euro component that consists of the digital euro app and an integrated banking app
software development kit (SDK). The digital euro app’s primary objectives are to establish
a uniform and user-friendly interface through a homogeneous look and feel. Furthermore,
the digital euro app shall ensure that all PSPs have equal access to end users and
are able to distribute the digital euro in a consistent and efficient way without
having to develop their own mobile application. This approach leverages economies
of scale and reduces entry barriers for new or smaller PSPs that lack the resources
to develop their own integration. The digital euro app is a thin-layer mobile application,
primarily designed to serve as a front-end for the prioritised use cases, while the
back-end digital euro related operations (such as transaction initiation or balance
inquiries) will be handled by Payment Service Providers (PSPs). Providing this app
ensures the availability of basic digital euro functionalities, as well as incorporating
features supporting digital financial inclusion to cater for the needs of people with
disabilities and those with low digital skills. Users can utilise the digital euro
app to interact with their chosen PSP via their smart device (e.g., smartphone, tablet,
or wearable), for example to display information or initiate payments. In addition
to the digital euro app, the Eurosystem will provide a SDK to support PSPs in the
provision of digital euro services through their own mobile apps. The SDK is a software
development kit that helps PSPs to integrate digital euro services into their own
existing mobile apps and online interfaces. The SDK is embedded in the PSP’s mobile
banking apps as a software library and provides, among other things, a client to the
digital euro standard APIs provided by the DESP. At a high level, the digital euro
app & SDK consist of (non-exhaustive list): The front-end of the digital euro app,
which provides entry points for various digital euro online and offline functionalities
and services. On the initial launch of the digital euro app, users will be prompted
to choose their PSP, configuring the digital euro app to use the selected PSP's API
endpoints for back-end communication; and Entry points (i.e., SDK) to API interfaces.
These allow the integrated front-end to connect to the PSPs back-end systems. The
digital euro app & SDK shall be usable on a range of smart devices including, but
not limited to, smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. The SDK shall be compatible
with payment and mobile banking apps as well as online interfaces of PSPs operating
in the euro area. On the other hand, the digital euro app shall be available for download
from the official application stores of at least the Android and iOS platforms. Additionally,
the digital euro app shall offer backward compatibility, ensuring it can run on older
versions of the Android and iOS platforms that are still within the manufacturer's
support cycle. This call for applications seeks the party responsible for the development,
including maintenance, as well as the operation of the digital euro app & SDK component
for the digital euro based on the relevant contractual arrangements and on a decision
of the ECB Governing Council.