Carlsquare vs Deutsche Bank

Carlsquare London – Rooftop Cocktails 2026

New event added: Carlsquare London – Rooftop Cocktails 2026 on 18 Aug 2026. Also new: SaaS & AI Kitchen on 22 Jul 2026.

Carlsquare Consumer Monitor 2026: A survey of founders, executives and investors across the European Consumer Sector

Carlsquare Consumer Monitor 2026: A survey of founders, executives and investors across the European Consumer Sector

Carlsquare Consumer Conference 2026 Recap

Recap of the Carlsquare Consumer Conference 2026

ECB seeks online retailers for digital euro pilot project

The European Central Bank (ECB) is advancing its digital euro project, now in a decisive phase as EU institutions begin trilogue negotiations on its fee model. The ECB is recruiting euro-area online and mobile merchants for a pilot starting in the second half of 2027, lasting twelve months, to test a beta version in realistic checkout scenarios. Applications close on October 27, 2026, with participation voluntary and unpaid. The core dispute involves merchant fees during a transition period, with Ecommerce Europe advocating for a simpler, predictable model and support for business-to-business payments. Selected merchants will be evaluated on market reach, operational readiness, and technical suitability, following the earlier selection of 36 payment service providers. The pilot's findings will inform technical development, but a final issuance decision awaits EU legislation, with technical readiness targeted by 2029.

• EU institutions (Commission, Council, Parliament) have begun trilogue negotiations on the digital euro, focusing on merchant fees.
• Applications for the ECB's merchant pilot close on October 27, 2026, with the pilot running from the second half of 2027 for 12 months.
• The pilot involves voluntary and unpaid participation by online and mobile merchants, testing a beta version of the digital euro in realistic checkout scenarios.

Bond Selloff Pressures Real Estate Buyers in US and Germany

The global selloff in government bonds continues, with yields on 10-year US Treasuries climbing to 5.025%, the highest since the 2007 financial crisis. This has led to a notable shift in foreign investor behavior, as they now prefer US equities over bonds, a rare occurrence. Concerns about inflation due to the Iran war and the growing US debt have fueled the selloff. Rising yields have directly impacted mortgage rates, pressuring property buyers in the US and Germany. Hedge funds now hold a record 7% of the US Treasury market, while the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates. The credibility of the Fed is being questioned, and the situation poses challenges for President Trump ahead of midterm elections.

• Yields on 10-year US Treasuries reached 5.025%, the highest since the 2007 financial crisis.
• Foreign investors are now buying more US stocks than government bonds (US equities: 2.8% of US GDP vs. bonds: ~2%).
• Hedge funds have more than doubled their holdings of US Treasuries over the past five years, now holding a record 7% of the market.

Mastercard Study: Teens Use AI for Shopping Twice as Often as Parents

A Mastercard study, 'A Short History of the Future of Shopping and Payments', surveyed 26,000 parents and teens across 13 countries. In Germany, 79.9% of teens used AI for product research in the past year, nearly double the rate of their parents. The report highlights growing teen trust in AI for purchases (27%) and predicts that by 2030, over 10% of European online shoppers will routinely use AI agents for purchases. This shift towards 'agentic commerce' requires retailers to optimize product data for machines and adapt loyalty programs. Mastercard, along with Deutsche Bank, DZ BANK, and N26, demonstrated an agentic payment transaction in Germany in May 2026, showcasing the technology's practical application.

• 79.9% of German teens used AI for product research in the past year.
• 27% of German teens trust AI-based purchases more than other methods.
• Mastercard predicts over 10% of European online shoppers will use AI agents routinely by 2030.