Payment innovation

Swift has successfully completed the design phase of its blockchain-based shared ledger, and is now actively building the first iteration that will enable interoperability between banks’ tokenised deposits to facilitate 24/7 cross-border payments.

Over 50 banks around the world have signed up to our payments scheme, designed to introduce a framework that will transform consumer payments. Here, we unpack progress already made in 2026.

From 29 September to 2 October 2025, a record 12,400 participants came to Frankfurt to attend Sibos 2025. With the event now a month behind us, we reflect on what was discussed at this fantastic event.

At Swift, our mission has always been to continually innovate and elevate the cross-border payments experience. Today, we are taking a pivotal step forward: adding a blockchain-based shared ledger to our technology infrastructure.

At Swift, our priority is to make cross-border payments as fast and seamless as domestic ones. With our latest major initiative, we’re taking another bold step toward that goal – launching a new scheme to guarantee a consistently fast, predictable and transparent experience for retail customers worldwide.

Today, 75% of payments travelling over our network reach beneficiary banks within just 10 minutes. But more work is needed at the final stage of a payment’s journey—the last mile—to address friction that delays funds from being delivered to end beneficiaries.