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Swift Adds Blockchain Ledger to Enable 24/7 Cross-Border Payments

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Swift has unveiled plans to integrate a blockchain-based shared ledger into its core infrastructure, marking one of the most significant evolutions of the global payments network in decades. Announced at Sibos 2025 in Frankfurt, the initiative aims to enable real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments and the regulated movement of tokenized value at global scale. The project brings together more than 30 financial institutions from 16 countries and starts with a conceptual prototype developed alongside Consensys. Rather than replacing existing rails, the ledger is designed to extend Swift’s trusted role into digital finance while preserving compliance, resilience, and operational rigor.

Key takeaways

  • Swift plans to add a blockchain-based shared ledger to support instant, always-on cross-border payments.
  • The initiative was announced at Sibos 2025 in Frankfurt and involves over 30 global banks from 16 countries.
  • The first use case focuses on real-time, 24/7 interbank cross-border payments.
  • The ledger will be interoperable with existing payment rails and emerging digital networks.
  • Smart contracts will be used to embed compliance, controls, and transaction rules directly into payment flows.

Market context: The move comes as financial institutions globally face pressure to modernize cross-border payments amid growing demand for instant settlement, tokenized assets, and regulated digital money, while central banks and regulators push for higher transparency and resilience.

Why it matters

Cross-border payments remain one of the most complex and costly parts of the financial system, often constrained by time zones, batch processing, and fragmented infrastructure. By introducing a shared digital ledger, Swift is signaling that legacy financial infrastructure can evolve without abandoning regulatory discipline.

For banks, the initiative promises improved transparency, faster settlement, and reduced operational friction, all while maintaining compatibility with existing correspondent banking models. For the broader market, it represents a pragmatic bridge between traditional finance and distributed ledger technology.

The project also highlights a broader industry shift toward tokenized value and programmable money, with Swift positioning itself as a neutral orchestrator rather than a competing blockchain network.

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What to watch next

  • Progress of the conceptual prototype being developed with Consensys.
  • Expansion of use cases beyond cross-border payments into other forms of tokenized value.
  • Governance frameworks and compliance standards agreed by participating banks.
  • Further announcements on interoperability with public and private blockchain networks.

Sources & verification

  • Official Swift announcement detailing the blockchain-based ledger initiative.
  • Statements from Swift CEO Javier Pérez-Tasso delivered at Sibos 2025.
  • Public comments from participating global banks on their involvement.
  • Swift’s published FAQs outlining scope, benefits, and development phases.

Swift’s blockchain ledger and the future of cross-border payments

Swift’s decision to incorporate a blockchain-based shared ledger into its technology stack represents a strategic response to a rapidly changing payments landscape. For decades, Swift has served as the backbone of global financial messaging, connecting institutions across more than 200 countries and territories. The new ledger does not replace that role but extends it into a digital environment where value can move instantly and continuously.

The initiative was formally announced during the opening plenary of Sibos 2025, where Swift CEO Javier Pérez-Tasso acknowledged that the move might surprise parts of the market. He framed the development as a convergence rather than a contradiction, arguing that traditional finance and blockchain technology can coexist within a regulated system. According to Pérez-Tasso, banks are increasingly prepared for this transition and are asking Swift to take on a broader coordinating role.

At the core of the project is a shared digital ledger designed to record, sequence, and validate transactions between financial institutions in real time. Built with interoperability as a guiding principle, the ledger is intended to connect seamlessly with both established payment rails and emerging digital networks. Smart contracts will enforce transaction rules, embedding compliance and risk controls directly into payment flows rather than layering them on afterward.

The first use case under development is real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments, an area where inefficiencies have long persisted. Current systems often rely on batch processing and reconciliation across multiple intermediaries, leading to delays and uncertainty. A shared ledger, accessible around the clock, could significantly improve predictability and transparency while reducing settlement times.

Swift has emphasized that operational excellence remains central to the design. The ledger is being developed in parallel with ongoing enhancements to existing rails, APIs, and ISO 20022 messaging standards. This layered approach reflects Swift’s view that innovation should strengthen, not undermine, the reliability and security that global finance depends on.

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Collaboration is another defining feature of the initiative. Financial institutions from regions spanning Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America are actively involved in shaping the ledger’s functionality and governance. Participating banks include major global and regional players such as Bank of America, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Citi, BBVA, and many others.

Executives from these institutions have described the project as a foundational upgrade rather than an incremental change. Many point to the importance of interoperability and common standards, particularly as tokenized assets and digital currencies gain traction. A shared ledger coordinated through Swift’s neutral network could help avoid fragmentation and support multi-currency, atomic settlement across jurisdictions.

Several banks highlighted the relevance of the initiative for liquidity management and always-on payments. In a global economy that increasingly operates beyond traditional business hours, the ability to move regulated value in real time is becoming a competitive necessity. The ledger is positioned as an enabler of this shift, supporting both wholesale and, eventually, broader client-facing use cases.

Swift has also linked the project to its broader work on digital assets and interoperability. Alongside the ledger, the organization is developing solutions that allow value to move between private and public networks without compromising compliance. This reflects an understanding that the future financial system will likely consist of multiple interconnected platforms rather than a single dominant rail.

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From a governance perspective, the initiative is being developed in stages, beginning with a prototype. Timelines for broader availability will depend on testing, regulatory alignment, and industry adoption. Swift has been clear that the ledger will evolve in close consultation with its community, maintaining alignment with global regulatory standards.

The broader significance of the project lies in its signal to the market. By embracing blockchain-based infrastructure while reaffirming its commitment to trust and resilience, Swift is attempting to chart a middle path between innovation and stability. If successful, the shared ledger could become a key component of next-generation global payments, supporting tokenized value, instant settlement, and interoperability at scale.

As Pérez-Tasso concluded during Sibos, the ledger represents a platform not just for today’s needs but for future transformation. Its ultimate impact will depend on execution, collaboration, and the industry’s willingness to converge on shared standards. For now, it marks a notable step in the gradual modernization of global financial infrastructure.

“This is a powerful platform for the future. And it can be even more transformational in the future.” – Javier Pérez-Tasso, Swift CEO

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Aave launches on OKX’s X Layer to expand on-chain lending access

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Aave launches on OKX’s X Layer to expand on-chain lending access

Decentralized lending protocol Aave has officially launched on Ethereum layer 2 X Layer.

Summary

  • Aave has launched on X Layer, enabling OKX Wallet users to lend, borrow, and earn yield directly on the network without bridging assets.
  • X Layer, developed by OKX, has seen limited growth so far, with about $25 million in total value locked.

According to the official announcement, the launch will allow OKX Wallet users and DeFi participants to directly supply assets, borrow against collateral, and earn yield on the network without having to use a separate wallet or bridge assets across chains.

X Layer was developed by OKX and launched in 2024, but network growth has been relatively slow so far, with the chain holding only about $25 million in total value locked as of press time.

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Onboarding Aave could significantly strengthen liquidity and expand the network’s DeFi capabilities.

“With a multi-year track record across more than a dozen blockchain networks and a 60% market share of DeFi lending, Aave is the largest and most trusted onchain lending network, with over $46 billion in supply & borrow. Its arrival on X Layer brings that same battle-tested infrastructure to OKX’s L2 ecosystem, permissionless, non-custodial, and accessible directly from OKX Wallet,” OKX said.

As part of the expansion, users can supply assets including USDT0, USDG, GHO, xBTC, xETH, xSOL, xBETH, and xOKSOL to earn yield that compounds automatically while retaining custody of their tokens.

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Further, users will be able to borrow assets such as USDT0, USDG, GHO, xBTC, xETH, and xSOL against their collateral without any credit check or intermediary.

To access the service, OKX Wallet users just need to open the wallet, navigate to Aave through the DApps section, and connect to the X Layer network.

The latest expansion follows the launch of Orbit, a social trading platform that the crypto exchange introduced earlier this month.

As previously covered, Orbit is designed to combine social media-style interaction with trading tools, allowing users to share strategies, discuss market developments, and follow experienced traders in real time.

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Around the same time, OKX disclosed a strategic investment from Intercontinental Exchange, with the deal set to give ICE a seat on the company’s board.

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Ripple Researchers Propose Privacy-Preserving Transfers for XRPL Multi-Purpose Tokens

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The Ripple research team has published a paper on adding transaction privacy to the XRP Ledger (XRPL). 

The paper introduces Confidential Transfers for Multi-Purpose Tokens (Confidential MPTs). The goal is to enable institutional and regulated use cases, with issuer controls such as freezing and clawbacks.

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The paper is authored by Murat Cenk, Aanchal Malhotra, and Joseph Ayo Akinyele. The Confidential MPTs would be a cryptographic extension of the XLS-33 token standard, which went live on the XRPL mainnet in October 2025

The protocol replaces plaintext per-account balances with EC-ElGamal ciphertexts. Furthermore, it uses non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs to enforce transfer correctness and balance sufficiency without requiring decryption by validators. 

Meanwhile, sender and receiver identities remain visible, preserving XRPL’s account-based model

“To accommodate regulatory and institutional requirements, Confidential MPTs provide cryptographic auditability through an on-chain selective-disclosure model based on multi-ciphertext balance representations and equality proofs, while remaining compatible with simpler issuer-mediated audit models,” the abstract reads.

The timing aligns with shifting regulatory attitudes toward on-chain privacy. In a recent report submitted to Congress in early March, the US Treasury Department acknowledged that lawful users of digital assets may rely on mixers when transacting on public blockchains.

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The privacy paper arrives as Ripple simultaneously strengthens the network’s security foundation. The firm recently outlined an AI-driven security strategy for XRPL.

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The post Ripple Researchers Propose Privacy-Preserving Transfers for XRPL Multi-Purpose Tokens appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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DeFi Tokens Face Pressure as CLARITY Act Targets Stablecoin Yields

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Brian Armstrong's Bold Prediction: AI Agents Will Soon Dominate Global Financial

Key Takeaways

  • Proposed legislation would prohibit stablecoins from generating yields, limiting them to payment functions exclusively
  • The change would redirect yield opportunities toward traditional banking and money market instruments
  • Popular DeFi platforms including Uniswap, Aave, and Compound may encounter stricter regulations on value distribution
  • Trading volumes, liquidity depth, and token demand across DeFi could decline significantly
  • Regulated stablecoin issuers like Circle stand to gain from tighter integration with payment systems

The most recent iteration of the CLARITY Act has sparked significant discussion around its stablecoin provisions. Industry experts warn that decentralized finance tokens may bear the brunt of the legislation’s consequences.

Under the proposed framework, stablecoins would be prohibited from providing yields or any similar incentive structures, including balance-based rewards. This restriction would fundamentally transform stablecoins into payment instruments rather than blockchain-based savings vehicles.

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Markus Thielen, who established 10x Research, indicated that the legislation would effectively channel yield opportunities back into conventional financial systems. Traditional banks, money market vehicles, and compliant financial products would capture these benefits, while cryptocurrency-native services would lose competitive advantage in offering returns.

Initial speculation suggested that DeFi platforms might actually attract more users if centralized crypto services were prevented from distributing yields. The theory presumed capital would migrate toward onchain alternatives.

However, Thielen challenged this assumption. He explained that the CLARITY regulatory structure would probably apply to user-facing platforms and token economics, especially when fee structures or governance mechanisms begin resembling equity instruments.

Potential Impact on DeFi Platforms

This regulatory approach places numerous DeFi initiatives under scrutiny. Decentralized trading venues and lending services may encounter fresh restrictions governing their operations and value distribution mechanisms.

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Platforms such as Uniswap, Sushi, and dYdX face potential consequences, alongside lending services like Aave and Compound. Enhanced regulatory oversight might trigger diminished trading activity, thinner liquidity pools, and decreased token valuations, the 10x Research analysis suggests.

The fundamental question centers on whether these platforms can maintain fee distribution or incentive programs for token holders without triggering new stablecoin-focused regulations.

Thielen observed that distinguishing between governance tokens and regulated financial instruments grows increasingly complex within this regulatory framework.

Circle Positioned for Potential Gains

The legislation wouldn’t create obstacles for every cryptocurrency entity. Circle, which issues the USDC stablecoin, might emerge as a beneficiary under the proposed rules.

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Thielen characterized the regulation as fundamentally favorable for infrastructure providers like Circle. Should stablecoins become embedded within payment networks, issuers maintaining robust regulatory compliance would secure advantageous positions.

The CLARITY Act continues advancing through the legislative pipeline. Congress has not yet enacted a final version.

While stablecoin provisions dominate policy discussions in Washington, industry analysts emphasize that the ripple effects across DeFi ecosystems deserve equal attention.

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White House App Sparks Privacy Fears Over Tracking and Data Collection

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Business, Technology, Privacy, Adoption, White House, Applications

A new app from the US government has sparked concerns among users and researchers over potential location-tracking features, security vulnerabilities and data collection.

The White House launched the app on Friday as a way for users to get a “direct line to the White House,” including receiving breaking news alerts on major government announcements, watching livestreams and keeping up to date on “policy breakthroughs.”

However, users on X have raised concerns about the permissions required to use the app, including access to the device’s location, shared storage and network activity, though these claims have not been independently verified.

While many apps often request location permissions and can log user data, an app launched by the federal government requesting this information can invite additional concerns. 

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However, both listings on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store currently do not display these warnings.

A White House app privacy policy said it automatically stores information about the originating Internet Protocol (IP) address and other basic information, while it can retain names and email addresses of subscribers, though these are not required to use the app.

Business, Technology, Privacy, Adoption, White House, Applications
Source: Tyler Oakley

Cointelegraph has contacted the White House for comment.

Security engineer says GPS tracking is part of the app

On the app’s Google Play Store page, it states that personal data, including phone numbers and email addresses, may be collected through download and use. Apple’s App Store, meanwhile, directs users to the White House’s privacy policy.

A software developer using the X handle Thereallo, along with Adam, a security engineer and infrastructure architect, say they have identified code suggesting the app could access a device’s GPS for tracking.

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While the feature is common across a number of apps, Adam said it is unusual for location-tracking services to be in software that does not appear to need them.

“There is no map, no local news, no geofencing, no events near you, no weather. Nothing in the app that requires location,” he added.

Concerns of GPS tracking every 4.5 minutes

Thereallo made a similar claim that the app includes code that could enable tracking a device every 4.5 minutes in the foreground and 9.5 minutes in the background, though this has not been independently verified.

Business, Technology, Privacy, Adoption, White House, Applications
Source: Thereallo

They found that it still requires permission but warned that it is only “one call away from activating,” and that the tracking “infrastructure is there, ready to go.”

Related: Trump advisory council draws Coinbase co-founder, tech leaders

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At the same time, Thereallo said the app is collecting other data such as notification interactions, in-app message clicks and phone number.

Security could be broken, researcher says

Adam said the app’s security may also be weak enough for a technically skilled person to intercept its data or alter its functionality

“Anyone on the same Wi-Fi network, say, at a coffee shop, an airport, or a congressional hearing room, can intercept API traffic with a proxy. Anyone with a jailbroken device can hook and modify the app’s behavior at runtime,” he said.

“No servers were probed. No network traffic was intercepted. No DRM was bypassed. No tools were used that require jailbreaking. Everything described here is observable by anyone who downloads the app from the App Store and has a terminal.”

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