EU lawmakers on Thursday backed starting negotiations on creating a digital version of the euro, as the European Union races to introduce the currency.
The project has been years in the making but the EU first needs to agree on the legal framework underpinning the virtual currency before it is available for use.
The EU believes a digital euro is the answer to cutting its addiction to US payment systems like Visa and Mastercard as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
A European Parliament committee had already given its green light but that approval was challenged and there was a call for an assembly vote.
An overwhelming majority of lawmakers approved establishing a digital euro.
