đđ SWIFT Steps Into the Blockchain Leadership Race
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is positioning itself to compete directly with blockchain-native financial networks as it seeks to lead the next phase of digital banking infrastructure. Speaking at Sibos 2025, senior executives confirmed that SWIFT is expanding its services by introducing a blockchain-based ledger, signaling a decisive move as tokenised finance advances toward large-scale adoption.
đ¤đŚ Global Banks Collaborate on Ledger Design
Thierry Chilosi, Chief Business Officer at SWIFT, said the organization is already making tangible progress on the new ledger while working with more than 30 banks worldwide. This global collaboration is shaping the ledgerâs architecture to ensure it meets institutional standards for security, interoperability, and operational resilience across multiple jurisdictions.

đđą Bridging Tokenised Assets and Traditional Finance
Rather than replacing its long-established messaging network, SWIFTâs blockchain ledger is designed to complement existing financial infrastructure. The initiative aims to connect tokenised assets with traditional banking rails, enabling smoother interaction between distributed ledger environments and conventional financial systems while reducing fragmentation across markets.
đď¸đ Institutional Demand Drives Tokenisation Forward
Michael Spiegel, Global Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered Bank, noted that tokenisation is rapidly moving beyond experimental pilots. Financial institutions and corporate clients are increasingly demanding production-ready platforms capable of supporting tokenised deposits, securities, and other digital instruments within established regulatory and compliance frameworks.
đđ Tokenised Finance at Global Scale
SWIFTâs expanding blockchain role reflects a broader industry shift toward institutional blockchain adoption, where efficiency, transparency, and cross-border interoperability are key priorities. By leveraging its trusted position in global payments, SWIFT aims to serve as a neutral coordination layer connecting tokenised finance across diverse platforms.
đŽâď¸ The Future of Digital Financial Infrastructure
As development continues, SWIFTâs blockchain-based ledger highlights how distributed ledger technology is being integrated into core financial infrastructure, underscoring a competitive yet pragmatic path toward scalable, interoperable digital finance worldwide.
đ Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Readers should conduct independent research before making decisions involving digital assets or blockchain technology.