Global payments leader SWIFT has quietly begun testing Ripple’s XRP Ledger and Hedera Hashgraph, marking one of the strongest signals yet that traditional finance is edging closer to blockchain integration.
For context: SWIFT processes over $150 trillion annually in cross-border transfers. By experimenting with XRP and HBAR, the network is essentially probing whether next-gen digital ledgers can operate alongside its legacy rails. While SWIFT hasn’t committed to one chain, the fact that XRP and Hedera made the shortlist is telling.
🔹 XRP is already known for its banking ties and settlement speeds around 1,500 TPS — making it a long-time institutional contender.
🔹 Hedera brings even more firepower, with throughput above 10,000 TPS and ultra-low energy usage, making it attractive for enterprise-grade tokenization and asset transfers.
Potential Multi-Trillion-Dollar Exposure
Even a fraction of SWIFT’s flows migrating to blockchain rails could generate unprecedented demand for XRP and HBAR. One analyst summed it up:
The integration of ISO 20022 with digital assets isn’t just compatibility — it’s about defining the next standard for global finance.
Despite the headline, markets didn’t budge much: XRP slipped 0.67% to $2.88, while HBAR dipped 1.14% to $0.2338, tracking broader consolidation.
Why This Matters
The timing aligns with wider institutional and regulatory momentum:
- Hong Kong launched a stablecoin lab.
- China is exploring yuan-backed stablecoins (despite its trading ban).
- The U.S. SEC just unveiled Project Crypto, aimed at clarifying asset classifications for mainstream adoption.
SWIFT’s cautious tests could pave the way for a future where decentralized speed meets banking-grade compliance — a bridge between blockchain innovation and institutional trust.
Whether XRP or Hedera wins long-term adoption is still unclear, but being tested by SWIFT puts both in an elite group of networks with real institutional consideration.
For crypto, this marks another step away from hype and closer to real-world finance.
👉 Do you think SWIFT will actually commit to XRP or Hedera — or will it keep blockchain at arm’s length for years to come?
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