Netherlands' De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) has published its Payments Strategy 2026-2028, setting out how it wants to keep payments secure, reliable and accessible amid geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. Priorities include strengthening operational resilience, reducing dependence on non-European payment providers, and keeping cash usable as a fall-back. The strategy promotes greater European autonomy through wider availability of European digital payment instruments, including Wero, which is to be introduced in the Netherlands from 2026, and the digital euro as a digital alternative to cash that can be used online and offline. To spread risk, DNB advises households to hold sufficient cash for 72 hours and to have payment accounts with different banks, while encouraging businesses and payment service providers not to depend on a single supplier for vital services. Work with banks, retailers and other parties focuses on enabling offline payments, maintaining a stable number of ATMs nationwide, and strengthening protection against cyber attacks, alongside measures on consumer disclosure and data use, joint anti-fraud efforts (including against spoofing and deepfakes), and “transparent, explainable and secure” use of AI by payment service providers. Delivery is framed as a joint effort with banks, government, businesses and civil society organisations, with the strategy also linking payments initiatives to wider work with other European central banks on innovations to common central-banking systems and on removing barriers to cross-border investment.
De Nederlandsche Bank 2026-03-09
Netherlands' De Nederlandsche Bank publishes Payments Strategy 2026-2028 urging 72-hour cash buffers and more European payment options
De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) released its Payments Strategy 2026-2028, focusing on secure, reliable, and accessible payments amid geopolitical and technological changes. Priorities include enhancing operational resilience, reducing reliance on non-European providers, and promoting European digital payment instruments like Wero and the digital euro. The strategy emphasizes collaboration with banks, businesses, and civil society to ensure offline payment capabilities, maintain ATM availability, and bolster cybersecurity.