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ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Central Bank Payments Innovation Sandbox Programme – A Call For Applicants

William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
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This six-month sandbox programme, which begins in January 2026, aims to foster innovative solutions that deliver safer, faster, greener, and more inclusive payments for households and businesses...

IrelandFinance and Banking
Shane Kelleher
Shane Kelleher
Louise McNabola
Louise McNabola
John O'Connor
John O'Connor
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On 23 September 2025, the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) announced that its second Innovation Sandbox Programme (Programme), themed Innovation in Payments, is open for applications.

This six-month sandbox programme, which begins in January 2026, aims to foster innovative solutions that deliver safer, faster, greener, and more inclusive payments for households and businesses, while giving the Central Bank early insight into emerging risks and supervisory questions.

Through the Programme, the Central Bank aims to provide regulatory advice and support to firms on their innovative projects, in line with its public policy objectives.

The Programme also aims to facilitate the development of new ventures and business models that solve challenges identified in the sandbox theme and facilitate the faster and safer deployment of substantially new technologies, products, or services.

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