- SWIFT eyes Ripple and Hedera for blockchain-powered global payments.
- Ripple’s XRP and Hedera’s HBAR emerge as SWIFT’s contenders.
- Global finance could shift if SWIFT adopts blockchain integration.
SWIFT, the backbone of global financial payments, is reportedly preparing to adopt blockchain technology to modernize its operations. According to an update shared by Zach Humphries on X, citing Vanir Assets, Ripple’s XRP ledger and Hedera Hashgraph’s HBAR are being highlighted as leading contenders for future integration.
This global payment system links over 11,000 financial institutions in 200 countries daily. However, its current infrastructure has struggled to satisfy the increasing demand for faster, cheaper, and more secure cross-border settlements.
Reports indicate that SWIFT is developing blockchain bridges that have the potential to enhance efficiencies and facilitate the transfer of both fiat and digital assets.
Ripple and Hedera Positioned as Key Candidates
Ripple has consistently positioned XRP as a bridge currency for banks and financial institutions. The asset has nearly immediate settlement, low cost, and is implemented through RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity. Also, recent regulatory certainty in the United States has enhanced its position as a place of liquidity for global markets.
🚨 SWIFT — the backbone of global payments — could be gearing up to integrate blockchain. And according to Vanir Assets, the two top contenders are none other than Ripple’s $XRP and Hedera Hashgraph’s $HBAR. This could reshape the future of money movement worldwide. pic.twitter.com/43UAcVRX5c
— Zach Humphries (@Z_Humphries) August 20, 2025
Hedera Hashgraph, in turn, provides enterprise-level governance backed by a council that includes Google, IBM, and Boeing. HBAR can process transactions quickly and cheaply and has near-finality. The network has also improved in terms of tokenization and stablecoin initiatives, which makes it more attractive to enterprises that consider adopting blockchain.
Real-World Banking Trials Expected
According to Vanir Assets, SWIFT’s upcoming phase will extend beyond controlled testing and involve practical trials with major banking institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia. These tests will provide the banks with access to digital wallets to settle, transfer tokenized cash, and access transparent prices based on blockchain-based systems.
By performing a central intermediary role between fiat and digital assets, SWIFT hopes to bridge the divide between traditional finance and blockchain. If XRP or HBAR is chosen or both implemented, this could be a major shift in the world’s settlement of trillions of dollars.
SWIFT plans to use Ripple and Hedera in its blockchain efforts, which highlights the increasing importance of digital assets in the world of finance. While no official decision has been announced, the developments highlight how blockchain could soon become an integral part of cross-border payments.
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