Is SWIFT Building a Blockchain Ledger on XRP? Here’s the Latest

• SWIFT is building a blockchain-based ledger to enable 24/7, real-time cross-border payments with smart contracts.
• Its focus on speed, low cost, and instant settlement has fueled XRPL speculation.
• SWIFT has not named any blockchain or crypto, but the move signals traditional finance is fully embracing blockchain-style infrastructure.

Global financial messaging giant SWIFT has confirmed that it is building a blockchain-based ledger as part of a major upgrade to its infrastructure, a move that has reignited speculation across the digital asset community about which technology could underpin the system.

In a recent statement shared on social media, SWIFT said the new ledger is designed to be a “game-changer for cross-border payments,” offering a shared, real-time record of transactions between financial institutions and enabling instant, always-on settlement.

The announcement immediately drew attention due to its emphasis on speed, cost efficiency, and real-time functionality, attributes often associated with blockchain networks built specifically for payments.

What SWIFT’s Blockchain Ledger Is Designed to Do

According to details published on SWIFT’s website, the initiative is already being developed in collaboration with more than 30 financial institutions. The ledger will extend SWIFT’s existing trusted infrastructure into a digital environment to accelerate the global transition toward digital finance.

The first live use case will focus on 24/7 real-time cross-border payments. SWIFT says the ledger will act as a secure, real-time log that records, sequences, and validates transactions between financial institutions.

Smart contracts will be used to enforce rules, while interoperability with both existing and emerging systems is a core design objective. The company framed the project as bringing the same reliability that underpins today’s global financial system into a blockchain-based setting.

Also Read: XRP Signals Potential Market Shift as Open Interest Rises on Coinbase

Why XRP Ledger Is Entering the Conversation

SWIFT has not disclosed whether its blockchain ledger is being built on an existing public network or on proprietary technology.

However, the emphasis on fast settlement, low transaction costs, and institutional-grade reliability has fueled speculation that the solution could be compatible with, or inspired by, payment-focused ledgers such as the XRP Ledger.

Members of the crypto community have been quick to contrast SWIFT’s stated goals with the limitations of some existing blockchain networks.

One community member, Holo, argued that high transaction fees on Ethereum make it unsuitable for global payments infrastructure, noting that USDT transfers on Ethereum have recently averaged over a dollar per transaction. In that context, they suggested that a low-cost network like XRPL would better align with SWIFT’s objectives.

No Confirmation, Only Speculation—for Now

Despite the growing discussion, it is important to note that SWIFT has made no reference to XRP, Ripple, or the XRP Ledger in its official communications. The company has only stated that the ledger is designed to interoperate with a wide range of systems and to support digital finance at a global scale.

For now, the idea that SWIFT’s blockchain ledger could involve XRP technology remains speculative. Still, the announcement underscores a broader shift: legacy financial infrastructure providers are actively embracing blockchain-based solutions, particularly for real-time, cross-border settlement, a domain long associated with Ripple and XRP.

The Bigger Picture

Whether or not XRP plays a role, SWIFT’s move signals a meaningful evolution in global payments. By targeting instant, always-on cross-border transactions within a regulated, institutional framework, the initiative highlights how traditional finance is increasingly converging with blockchain principles.

As development progresses and more technical details emerge, clarity around the underlying technology is likely to follow, and with it, a clearer answer to whether XRP is part of the story.

Also Read: Analyst: XRP Quietly Integrated Into U.S. Financial Plumbing Like SWIFT, Here’s How

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