Swift Launches Blockchain Ledger for 24/7 Cross-Border Payments with 17 Banks
On July 9, 2026, Swift announced the launch of its blockchain ledger, which allows for continuous cross-border payments using tokenized deposits. Seventeen banks from six different continents will participate in these real-time transactions. This new system enables the seamless transfer of digital tokens that represent customer funds between banks, while traditional methods manage the final settlements. These tokenized deposits are digital assets issued by banks, fully secured by actual customer deposits. Some of the banks involved include ANZ, BNP Paribas, BNY, Citi, DBS, and Wells Fargo, among others. Thierry Chilosi from Swift highlighted the importance of this ledger in pushing forward digital finance and transitioning to a blockchain-based framework.
Key facts
- Swift announced on July 9, 2026 that its blockchain-based ledger is ready for operational use.
- Seventeen banks across six continents are piloting live transactions using tokenized deposits.
- Tokenized deposits are bank-issued digital instruments backed one-to-one by deposits.
- The ledger enables 24/7 cross-border payments, including outside standard banking hours.
- Final settlement still runs through conventional payment systems.
- Participating banks include ANZ, BNP Paribas, BNY, Citi, DBS, First Abu Dhabi Bank, FirstRand Bank Limited, HSBC, Itaú Unibanco, Lloyds Bank, Mashreq, MUFG Bank, OCBC, Standard Chartered, UBS, UOB, and Wells Fargo.
- Swift Chief Business Officer Thierry Chilosi highlighted potential for programmable money and agentic commerce.
- Intercontinental Exchange has separately outlined plans for a tokenized securities venue.
Entities
Institutions
- Swift
- ANZ
- BNP Paribas
- BNY
- Citi
- DBS
- First Abu Dhabi Bank
- FirstRand Bank Limited
- HSBC
- Itaú Unibanco
- Lloyds Bank
- Mashreq
- MUFG Bank
- OCBC
- Standard Chartered
- UBS
- UOB
- Wells Fargo
- Intercontinental Exchange
- New York Stock Exchange
- Barclays
- NatWest
- NFT Plazas
Locations
- six continents
- more than 200 countries and territories