SWIFT Taps HSBC and Citi for Blockchain Payment Trials

SWIFT moves into its next phase of digital asset integration, partnering with 17 major banks to pilot tokenized cross-border payments on a DLT ledger.

Following nine months of development, SWIFT’s new infrastructure is entering its initial operational phase with the participation of 17 international banks, including HSBC, Citi, BNP Paribas, UBS, Wells Fargo, Standard Chartered, and MUFG.

The move marks a significant milestone in SWIFT’s strategy to maintain its central role in international settlements as the financial industry accelerates its transition toward tokenized assets and digital currencies. Rather than replacing existing banking infrastructure, the organization has opted for a model that builds upon the current system, allowing for the gradual implementation of distributed ledger technology (DLT).

A Hybrid Model: Blockchain Meets Traditional Settlements

The new platform does not perform final settlement directly on a blockchain. Instead, it functions as a coordination layer that synchronizes payment commitments between participating banks in real time, while the final transfer of funds continues to be executed through established banking payment systems.

This approach enables transaction processing nearly 24/7, including weekends and periods outside the operating hours of individual financial markets. By doing so, SWIFT aims to eliminate the constraints imposed by different time zones, national holidays, and traditional banking schedules that frequently delay international transfers.

The project’s technological foundation is built on Hyperledger Besu—an enterprise-grade, Ethereum-compatible blockchain network designed specifically for regulated financial institutions. Choosing this architecture ensures high security, access control, and regulatory compliance without relying on public blockchain infrastructure.

According to SWIFT, approximately 75% of payments on its existing network already reach the recipient bank within 10 minutes. The new system is designed less to accelerate the transfer itself and more to remove the artificial time barriers that arise during cross-border banking operations.

Banks Prepare for Programmable Payments and AI

The new infrastructure is envisioned as the foundation for the next generation of financial services. According to SWIFT’s Chief Business Officer, Thierry Chilosi, the platform will facilitate the development of programmable payments, tokenized bank deposits, and “agentic commerce”—a model where artificial intelligence systems can independently initiate and execute financial transactions based on predefined rules.

This initiative arrives as payment digitalization picks up speed across the banking sector. Recent market research indicates that over 90% of large financial institutions are already modernizing their payment infrastructure, focusing on tokenization, digital assets, and AI-driven automation.

Competition is also intensifying. In parallel with SWIFT’s project, a consortium of leading U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, is developing its own network for tokenized deposits, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027.

For SWIFT, the coming years will be decisive for its standing in the global payment ecosystem. Rather than resisting blockchain technology, the organization is now integrating it into its own infrastructure, striving to remain the backbone of international banking settlements in the era of digital assets.