Digital wallets have lost their initial grand vision as European teams become bogged down in the complex mechanics of technical delivery and regulatory compliance. If these applications merely store official documents, they will fail to revolutionise user experience and instead remain ordinary software. The true potential lies in empowering individuals with portable credentials, enhanced privacy, and cross-border functionality rather than merely satisfying basic operational requirements. Policymakers and industry stakeholders must look beyond launch day to foster genuine innovation and rebuild enthusiasm for transformative digital infrastructure. Ultimately, getting the first products on the market should serve as a stepping stone toward a much broader, highly ambitious digital future.
