The EC aims to have 80% of EU citizens access a state-issued Digital ID Wallet by 2030. The wallet provides a single, interoperable identity framework across the EU, reducing cross-border KYC friction and allowing banks to use verified attributes such as income, residency or employment during onboarding and credit scoring.

"It is a source of pride for BT, as a market leader in Romania, to be part of this project, which creates a common digital framework, developed on standards across the EU," says Oana Ilaș, Deputy CEO Retail Banking, BT. "The EU Digital Identity Wallet will contribute to strengthening the European identity by developing a whole ecosystem ensuring interoperability and access to banking services."

To meet bank-led authentication and Strong Customer Authentication requirements, BT worked with technology partner BPC to enhance SmartVista ACS and payment APIs so any card transaction can be authenticated with the EUDIW. The upgraded ACS went live in March and processed the consortium's first real-money transaction: a ferry ticket purchased using a BT virtual card and digital credentials stored in the wallet.

Vasily Volynsky, Global Head of Accounts, SVP, BPC, said: "Being the first issuer bank in Romania to accept the EU Digital Identity Wallet is a milestone for BT and for Europe's payments landscape. We are proud to help BT with this and to be a part of this global Europe Digital ID European Commission initiative."