SWIFT Bridges Traditional and Blockchain Finance with 2025 Upgrade
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) has confirmed the launch of a blockchain integration initiative, set to go live in November 2025, marking a pivotal shift in global financial infrastructure[1]. This update will enable SWIFT’s messaging network to support blockchain-native payment features, including the use of digital ledger identifiers (DLIs) and digital token identifiers (DTIs), allowing institutions to settle tokenized assets directly on distributed ledger technology (DLT) networks[1]. The upgrade, applicable to both legacy MT messages and the newer MX (ISO 20022) standard, ensures backward compatibility while embedding blockchain functionality into core workflows[1].
The integration aligns with SWIFT’s broader strategy to bridge traditional finance with decentralized systems, leveraging utility networks like the XRPXRP-- Ledger and HederaHBAR-- Hashgraph. The XRP Ledger, known for its low-cost, high-speed cross-border transactions, already supports real-world use cases with institutions such as Santander and SBI[1]. Similarly, Hedera, backed by entities like Google, IBM, and Standard Bank, provides enterprise-grade infrastructure with high throughput and energy efficiency, making it a viable platform for tokenized carbon credits and micropayments[1]. Both networks align with ISO 20022 standards, facilitating seamless interoperability with SWIFT’s messaging system[1].
Parallel efforts include SWIFT’s collaboration with Ethereum’s Layer 2 network, LineaLINEA--, to test on-chain settlements using a stablecoin-like token. This pilot, involving banks like BNP Paribas and BNY Mellon, explores direct value transfer via blockchain, reducing reliance on intermediaries and streamlining international transactions[2]. Linea’s zk-rollup technology offers low-cost, secure transactions, addressing compliance and privacy concerns critical to institutional adoption[2]. SWIFT’s earlier experiments with Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) have also demonstrated the potential for secure data exchange between traditional and decentralized systems[3].
The November 2025 rollout represents a production-scale transition from pilot programs to live institutional use. Key features include attaching blockchain wallet addresses to payment messages, integrating smart contract oracles for dynamic fee structures, and enabling tokenized asset settlements across both banking and blockchain networks[3]. This shift supports the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), such as digital bonds and equities, by providing a secure, interoperable infrastructure for global institutions[3].
SWIFT’s integration with blockchain infrastructure is part of a broader movement toward programmable finance and digital public infrastructure (DPI). Central banks and financial institutions are increasingly exploring CBDCs and tokenized bonds, with SWIFT’s updates enabling direct interactions between traditional and DLT systems[1]. For instance, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Australia’s public-private payment systems highlight the growing role of DPI in reshaping capital flows[1].
Industry experts note that the November 2025 upgrades will accelerate the adoption of tokenized securities, particularly as firms like BlackRock tokenize portions of their $21.6 trillion asset portfolio[1]. Platforms capable of supporting on-chain ownership and audit trails are expected to dominate the next phase of digital finance, with SWIFT’s standards reducing fragmentation and fostering scalability[1].
Comentarios
Aún no hay comentarios