Swift announced it will add a blockchain-based shared ledger to its technology infrastructure stack, extending its role from financial messaging into facilitating the trusted movement of regulated tokenised value across digital ecosystems. Work has started with a coalition of more than 30 financial institutions, with an initial focus on enabling real-time 24/7 cross-border payments at scale. Consensys will build a conceptual prototype in a first phase, after which Swift will define further phases of work. The shared ledger is envisaged as a secure, real-time log between financial institutions that records, sequences and validates transactions and enforces rules through smart contracts, and is designed for interoperability with both existing and emerging networks while maintaining Swift’s security, resilience and compliance expectations; the specific token types to be exchanged are positioned as decisions for commercial and central banks. Separately, Swift also announced it will roll out client solutions to orchestrate transactions across different systems, supporting both private and public networks to help ensure synchronised processing across distributed ledger technology and existing fiat rails. Following successful development and proof of concept, Swift plans to work with its global community on implementation, with participating institutions from 16 countries providing design feedback.
SWIFT 2025-09-29
SWIFT to develop a blockchain-based shared ledger with over 30 banks to enable real-time 24/7 cross-border payments
Swift will integrate a blockchain-based shared ledger into its infrastructure to facilitate regulated tokenised value movement across digital ecosystems, initially focusing on real-time 24/7 cross-border payments. Consensys will develop a prototype, and Swift will later define further phases, with plans to collaborate with global institutions on implementation and transaction orchestration across various networks.