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

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Crypto Breaking News

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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Crypto World

How ImpactFi Is Reshaping Decentralized Finance

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How ImpactFi Is Reshaping Decentralized Finance

The decentralized finance (DeFi) revolution promised a financial system without banks, borders, or gatekeepers. And to be fair, it delivered. Today, anyone with an internet connection can lend, borrow, trade, and earn yield through blockchain-based protocols.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of DeFi ended up optimizing for profit… not purpose.

Enter ImpactFi—the evolution of DeFi that merges financial returns with real-world social and environmental impact. It’s not just about making money anymore; it’s about making money matter.


What Is ImpactFi?

ImpactFi sits at the intersection of DeFi and impact investing.

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Impact investing itself focuses on generating measurable social or environmental benefits alongside financial returns.

Now combine that with blockchain—and you get a transparent, programmable, and decentralized system that aligns capital with global impact.

In simple terms:

ImpactFi = DeFi + Purpose

Instead of yield farming for pure profit, users can now earn while funding renewable energy, education, healthcare, or climate initiatives.

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Why Traditional Finance Fell Short

Before ImpactFi, impact investing faced several bottlenecks:

  • High entry barriers (big money only)
  • Slow decision-making
  • Lack of transparency
  • Limited community involvement

Even with trillions flowing into the sector, capital distribution remained inefficient and often disconnected from the communities it aimed to serve.

ImpactFi fixes this—with code.


The Core Pillars of ImpactFi

1. Transparency Through Blockchain

Every transaction, allocation, and outcome is recorded on-chain.

No more vague “impact reports.”
No more “trust us” fund managers.

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With blockchain:

  • You can verify where funds go
  • Track outcomes in real time
  • Audit impact metrics transparently

This solves one of the biggest issues in traditional impact investing—accountability.


2. Smart Contracts = Automated Impact

Smart contracts power DeFi by executing agreements without intermediaries. ImpactFi takes this further.

For example:

  • A portion of the yield is automatically redirected to climate projects
  • Donations are triggered by on-chain events
  • Funds are released only when impact milestones are met

This creates programmable philanthropy—no human bias, no delays.


3. Community Governance via DAOs

ImpactFi platforms often use DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations).

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Instead of a centralized fund manager:

  • Investors, communities, and stakeholders vote on decisions
  • Governance tokens give real influence
  • Funding decisions are democratized

This flips the script:

The people affected by investments finally have a say in them.


4. Impact Yield Farming

A standout innovation is impact yield farming.

Traditionally:

  • You stake → you earn rewards

In ImpactFi:

  • You stake → you earn and fund real-world impact

Some protocols even split yields:

  • Part goes to the user
  • Part goes to social/environmental causes via smart contracts

It’s like earning passive income… with a conscience.


5. Financial Inclusion at Scale

DeFi already removes intermediaries, making finance accessible globally.

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ImpactFi extends this by:

  • Funding underserved communities
  • Supporting microfinance through decentralized systems
  • Enabling grassroots participation in investment decisions

This is where things get powerful:

ImpactFi doesn’t just redistribute wealth—it redistributes opportunity.


How ImpactFi Is Changing DeFi Itself

ImpactFi isn’t just a niche—it’s reshaping the entire DeFi narrative.

From Speculation → Sustainability

DeFi has often been criticized for being overly speculative. ImpactFi introduces long-term, mission-driven capital allocation.

From Whales → Communities

Governance is shifting from large token holders to broader stakeholder groups via DAO models.

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From Yield → Purpose

Yield is no longer the only KPI. Now we measure:

  • Carbon offset
  • Social impact
  • Community development

Real-World Use Cases

ImpactFi is already being applied in:

  • 🌱 Climate finance (carbon credits, reforestation)
  • 🏥 Healthcare funding in underserved regions
  • 📚 Education access through decentralized grants
  • 🌍 Local economic development via community DAOs

Blockchain even enables faster capital flow by simplifying the verification and tracking of outcomes.


Challenges (Because Nothing Is Perfect)

Let’s not pretend this is all sunshine and green candles:

  • Impact measurement is still evolving
  • Regulatory uncertainty remains
  • Greenwashing risk exists (yes, even on-chain)
  • User experience is still… very crypto

But compared to traditional systems?
ImpactFi is already leagues ahead in transparency and efficiency.


The Future of ImpactFi

The impact investing market is projected to grow massively in the coming years, and decentralized models are accelerating that shift.

We’re heading toward a world where:

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  • Every transaction has a traceable impact
  • Capital allocation is community-driven
  • Financial systems are aligned with global sustainability goals

In other words:

Finance stops being neutral—and starts being intentional.


Conclusive

ImpactFi is what happens when DeFi grows up.

It keeps the best parts—permissionless access, transparency, automation—and adds something DeFi desperately needed:

a reason beyond profit.

And if DeFi was about removing middlemen…

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ImpactFi is about removing meaninglessness.

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Bitcoin Price Pressure Brings Back 2018 Bear Market

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Bitcoin Price Pressure Brings Back 2018 Bear Market

Bitcoin (BTC) heads into the March monthly close as it risks its sixth straight month of losses.

  • BTC price action touches $65,000 to start the week as traders expect a copycat bear flag breakdown.

  • Iran headlines dominate the macro mood amid rumors of a US ground invasion.

  • March could go either way for Bitcoin as it sits on the edge of its first six-month losing streak since 2018.

  • Whales have begun to reduce their BTC exposure, adding to mid-term price headwinds.

  • Modest demand in the current trading range lacks “magnitude” to support a trend reversal.

BTC price action revisits $65,000

Bitcoin faced last-minute selling into Sunday’s weekly close, dropping to $65,000 before a modest rebound.

Data from TradingView shows $67,500 forming a focus for Monday, with traders still firmly risk-off on the short-term outlook.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

In its latest post to Telegram channel subscribers, analytics resource Technical Crypto Analyst wrote:

“BTC is showing a clear shift in structure on the 4H, with price forming lower highs and losing the 68–69k support, which now acts as resistance; this confirms short-term bearish momentum, and unless price quickly reclaims 69–70k, the path of least resistance remains downward toward the 65k demand zone.”

BTC/USDT four-hour chart. Source: Technical Crypto Analyst/Telegram

Last week, Cointelegraph reported on $70,000 rapidly becoming new resistance, with a key long-term trend line at $68,300 unable to function as support.

“BTC’s local uptrend is over – as expected – and price is starting to move lower again,” trader Jelle continued on Monday. 

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“Testing the previous lows as resistance as we speak; bears are back in the drivers’ seat.”

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Jelle/X

Others also focused on the continuing breakdown of Bitcoin’s second bear flag of 2026 — something that has already sparked sub-$50,000 BTC price targets.

“Repeating the exact same bear flag breakdown like we saw in January,” trader Roman summarized.

Iran war rattles stocks with inflation in focus

Macro markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the US-Iran war, and these keep coming as April arrives.

US President Donald Trump reported a “big day” militarily to start the week amid reports of plans for a ground invasion of Iran.

Asia stock markets opened sharply down on Monday as the impact of the oil-supply crisis made its presence felt.

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“The ongoing tensions means that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited, which continues placing strains on global energy markets along with uncertainty over access to fertilizer products for farming,” trading resource Mosaic Asset Company commented in the latest edition of its regular newsletter, “The Market Mosaic.”

“That’s weighing on the S&P 500, which has now closed out five consecutive weeks with a loss.”

S&P 500 one-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Mosaic noted that the S&P’s red streak was now the longest since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war. 

“The growing risk of lasting damage on the global economy from high energy prices is pressuring the stocks market,” it continued. 

“But perhaps the most consequential spillover impact is on the outlook for inflation, and implications for interest rates on both the short- and long-end of the yield curve.”

Federal Reserve target rate probabilities (screenshot). Source: CME Group FedWatch Tool

As Cointelegraph reported, crypto markets joined stocks in a comedown in late March as the odds of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in 2026 faded. At the same time, bets of a recession coming this year increased to their highest since last September.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is due to take to the stage on Monday, potentially offering more insight into officials’ positions on the economy. Powell will participate in a moderated discussion at the Harvard University Principles of Economics Class.

“The outlook for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve is in jeopardy, while long-term rates are jumping higher as well due to uncertainty around inflation,” Mosaic added. 

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“The 30-year Treasury yield is close to breaking higher from an ominous pattern that could mean sharply higher rates ahead.”

March risks becoming sixth red BTC price month

Bitcoin bulls have little to boast about as March comes to a close, with BTC/USD about to seal its sixth consecutive month of losses.

Data from CoinGlass shows the result on a knife-edge ahead of the monthly close, with a “green” finish still possible.

BTC/USD monthly returns (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass

If Bitcoin ends March lower than its starting price, it would mark the first six straight “red” months since the 2018 bear market.

“Very slow month so far all things considered. Bitcoin pretty much flat on the month just like last year,” trader Daan Crypto Trades commented about the CoinGlass data. 

Daan Crypto Trades noted that over Bitcoin’s history, April has always been comparatively strong.

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“Historically speaking, April is bitcoin’s 3rd best month in average returns,” he added.

Trader XO observed that in February 2019, following Bitcoin’s first six-month losing streak, monthly gains totaled 11%.

“If April sees an early sweep into the $55–60K range, it could create a compelling setup for mean-reversion longs imo… (much depends on the overall macro landscape),” they told X followers. 

“That said, the higher timeframe structure remains in control until a clear contextual ‘structural’ shift is confirmed.”

Bitcoin whales flip defensive

Bitcoin whales have sparked concerns about future downward pressure on BTC price action.

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After an “aggressive” accumulation period at the start of 2026, whales have started reconsidering their exposure, per data from onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant.

“A clear divergence has formed: on-chain buying has ceased while large-scale inflows to exchanges are rising,” contributor Sunny Mom wrote in a “QuickTake” blog post. 

“Although the price continues to oscillate around $67K, the data suggests the market is entering another phase of hand-overs (re-distribution).”

Bitcoin exchange whale ratio (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuant

CryptoQuant noted increasing whale presence among exchange inflows, with their wallets accounting for more of the largest inbound transactions.

“Furthermore, the stablecoin ratio remains at a low level, reflecting a slowdown in sidelined capital flowing into the market,” Sunny Mom added, referring to stablecoin trends

“Without fresh liquidity, any attempt by whales to realize gains from their previous on-chain accumulation must rely on existing liquidity, making the price highly sensitive to selling pressure.”

Bitcoin exchange stablecoin ratio (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuant

Newer holders sit on “massive supply overhang”

Offering a hint of optimism this week, onchain analytics platform Glassnode sees promise in overall demand tendencies at current prices.

Related: Bitcoin value ‘off the chart’ as BTC price metric hits record lows in 2026

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Between $60,000 and $70,000, it notes, new BTC buyers have their aggregate cost basis.

“BTC sits at the lower bound of the new buyers’ cost basis range ($60k–$70k),” it wrote in an X post on Monday. 

“Supply accumulation in this range is notable, but the cluster is thinner than historical analogs that preceded a strong recovery.”

Bitcoin short-term holder cost basis distribution heatmap. Source: Glassnode

For a sustained rebound to begin, demand simply needs to ramp up — something not yet underway as traders stay nervous about geopolitical and macroeconomic shocks.

“The accumulation setup is constructive in form, not yet in magnitude,” Glassnode added.

Previously, Cointelegraph analyzed the various aggregate cost bases of Bitcoin investor cohorts, including that of short-term holders (STHs), the majority of whom are now underwater on their BTC holdings.

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Last week, CryptoQuant calculated STH share of the overall supply at 5.7 million BTC, with 92% sitting on losses.

“That’s a massive supply overhang,” it warned.

Bitcoin STH in profit/loss. Source: CryptoQuant/X