SWIFT announces which will begin testing real-time transactions with digital assets from November 2025

The interbank network moves more than US$150 trillion per year and is now seeking to make its operations compatible with digital wallets and settlement via tokenized accounts.

The role of the interbank messaging network SWIFT in facilitating real-time transactions with digital assets, such as stablecoins, tokenized currencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), has been brought into focus.

As reported by the Financial Times, SWIFT will commence testing real-time transactions with digital assets from November 2025.

The initiative aims to integrate features like stablecoins, tokenized currencies, and CBDCs into traditional banking systems, enabling seamless interoperability.

Annually transferring more than US$150 trillion and connecting over 11,000 financial institutions across 210 countries and territories, SWIFT is now seeking to make its operations compatible with digital wallets and settlement via tokenized accounts.

These tests will be carried out in collaboration with financial institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia.

The proposal includes the use of fees similar to those applied in blockchains, known as “gas fees”, to prioritize and process transactions quickly. Additionally, there will be a focus on standardizing a single and reliable source of price data for cryptocurrencies.

Tracking transactions via tokens also promises to increase transparency by enabling anyone to view transaction paths and identify intermediate banks.

Today, most digital asset platforms operate in isolation, without direct integration with the conventional banking system. SWIFT’s proposal is to create a framework that connects these “islands” to the global financial ecosystem, leveraging their existing correspondent banking infrastructure.

This move is in line with the global migration to the ISO 20022 standard, which enriches financial data with greater clarity and interoperability. This standard will be essential for digital currencies and traditional banking systems to communicate efficiently and accurately.

"We are entering the final phase of testing the use of tokenized payments within the SWIFT environment," a SWIFT spokesperson told the Financial Times.

These tests will be pivotal in determining the seamless integration of digital assets with traditional banking systems, paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient financial ecosystem.