# Swift to Develop Blockchain Ledger for Global Cross-Border Payments

*Author: Bankless*
*Published: Sep 29, 2025*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/read/news/swift-to-develop-blockchain-ledger-for-global-cross-border-payments*

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Swift has [announced](https://www.swift.com/news-events/press-releases/swift-add-blockchain-based-ledger-its-infrastructure-stack-groundbreaking-move-accelerate-and-scale-benefits-digital-finance) that it is developing a shared blockchain-based ledger with Consensys and more than 30 global financial institutions for integration into its payments infrastructure. The initiative, unveiled at Sibos 2025 in Frankfurt, aims to enable 24/7 real-time cross-border transactions at scale across more than 200 countries.

### What’s the Scoop?
- **Shared Ledger Initiative:** Swift is developing a prototype ledger with Consensys that will log, validate, and sequence regulated tokenized value across institutions, starting with cross-border payments.
- **Global Collaboration:** Over 30 banks—including Citi, JPMorgan, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, and Santander—are contributing feedback on the design and pilot.
- **Always-On Payments:** The goal is to bring instant, 24/7 settlement for international transactions, moving beyond today’s limited banking hours and delayed clearing processes.
- **Smart Contract Rules:** The ledger will use programmable rules to enforce compliance, sequence payments, and ensure interoperability with both fiat and blockchain networks.
- **Parallel Track Strategy:** Swift says it will continue upgrading its existing fiat rails while building out future digital rails to give the industry maximum flexibility.

> Have you heard the news? 📰In the Sibos opening plenary, our CEO, Javier Perez-Tasso, revealed plans to add a blockchain-based shared ledger to our infrastructure stack. Together with over 30 leading financial institutions, this initiative aims to make real-time, 24/7… [pic.twitter.com/ckVvMmIvH0](https://t.co/ckVvMmIvH0)— Swift (@swiftcommunity) [September 29, 2025](https://twitter.com/swiftcommunity/status/1972707082072891832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
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