Swift Launches Its Own Blockchain: Can XRP Still Replace it?
SWIFT just activated its own blockchain ledger with 17 major banks already running live transactions on it, and the move puts XRP's biggest claim to fame directly in the crosshairs.
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Swift, the prominent bank messaging network connecting over 11,500 institutions worldwide, has activated its own blockchain ledger, with 17 banks currently testing it for live payments. This development raises questions about XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) and its potential to replace SWIFT for international money transfers.
Swift created this ledger specifically for its network, allowing banks to pilot live transactions using their own tokenized deposits. Notably, Chainlink (CRYPTO:LINK) is providing a solution that lets banks connect to this new system. But with SWIFT upgrading its own network, can XRP still claim a role in the future of payments?
Swift Built a Blockchain Ledger for Tokenized Bank Deposits, and 17 Banks Are Piloting It
At the Sibos conference in September 2025, Swift introduced its blockchain ledger, in collaboration with Consensys, a well-known blockchain software firm. By March 2026, Swift finalized the design, and on July 9, they announced the ledger was ready for initial testing. Seventeen banks from six continents, including major players like Citi, HSBC, UBS, and Standard Chartered, are currently piloting this technology.
These pilots use tokenized deposits, which are digital representations of traditional bank money issued by the participating banks. The ledger maintains a continuous record of what each bank owes others, enabling transactions even during off-hours, including nights and weekends. This feature could let businesses pay suppliers abroad on weekends instead of waiting until Monday.
In fact, banks have already initiated live transactions using the ledger. Notably, Standard Chartered and HSBC successfully completed the first interbank transfer in August, while First Abu Dhabi Bank and Citi moved U.S. dollars across the platform in September.
Chainlink and IBM Are Connecting Banks to the Ledger, While XRP Has No Role
Chainlink announced on September 28 that it can help banks integrate their existing systems with the SWIFT ledger while allowing them to retain their own signing keys. These keys are crucial as they authorize each payment, addressing regulatory concerns for banks. Keeping their keys means banks have greater control over their transactions.
While Chainlink is one way for banks to connect to the ledger, IBM has also introduced its own adapter on September 24, enabling banks to join using their standard payment messages. Although Chainlink has gained attention for its bank connections, the reports do not say banks must hold LINK tokens to utilize them.
Importantly, XRP does not play a role in this new blockchain setup. The banks involved settle transactions using their tokenized deposits rather than a bridge currency like XRP. Neither SWIFT, the pilot banks, Chainlink, nor IBM have included Ripple or the XRP Ledger in their plans.
Swift Already Moves Most Payments Within 10 Minutes
XRP has often been promoted for its speed and low cost, claiming that banks could use it to transfer money globally within seconds. However, Swift already reports that 75% of transactions on its network are completed within 10 minutes, and many occur in just seconds.
The new ledger further narrows the time frame for transactions, allowing banks to move tokenized deposits around the clock. Swift’s extensive connections to more than 11,500 institutions and the established practices banks already follow give it an advantage that any replacement would need to overcome.
While traders are turning their attention to Chainlink, driving its price up by 30.6% over the past month to about $15, XRP trades at $1.50 as of September 29, 2026, approximately 59% below its peak of $3.67 in July 2025.
Can XRP Still Replace SWIFT?
The short answer is no. SWIFT’s decision to enhance its own network, and the fact that pilot banks are settling using their own tokenized deposits, place XRP outside this new ecosystem. For XRP to become a viable alternative, banks would need to reconsider their participation in the SWIFT network. However, every current indication shows that these banks are opting to remain within the SWIFT framework.
As it stands, XRP’s future within the banking sector now hinges on the success of Ripple’s own business, which has reached a $50 billion valuation independently of the SWIFT network. If SWIFT or any pilot bank recognizes the XRP Ledger as a connected network or accepts XRP as a bridge asset, the situation could change. However, if the pilot projects continue relying solely on tokenized deposits, XRP’s aspirations to replace Swift will likely dissipate.
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Sam Daodu is a crypto analyst who's spent nearly a decade making blockchain understandable—no easy task when most whitepapers read like fever dreams. He writes for 24/7 Wall St., covering Bitcoin, altcoins, and crypto market analysis for investors. Before crypto, he was a tech writer (back when explaining "the cloud" was peak innovation). Since 2018, he's written for CoinTelegraph, Yahoo Finance, The Block, Cryptonews, Zypto, Rain, and more—basically anywhere people want crypto news without the headache. Sam runs MacLabs Marketing, a content agency for crypto brands tired of sounding like AI wrote their website. He also publishes free crypto education on his site for Web3 enthusiasts who think "gas fees" is a typo. When he's not writing or staring at charts, Sam's either: - Watching anime (currently convinced One Piece has better tokenomics than most altcoins) - At the gym sculpting himself into a Greek god - Listening to the music your mum warned you only bad boys listen to Connect: LinkedIn | Email | MacLabs Marketing
