SWIFT will test transactions with digital currencies

The SWIFT international system plans to start testing transactions with tokenized assets and digital currencies in real time in 2025.

Banks and asset managers have been exploring the possibility of "tokenizing" traditional assets such as bonds for several years in order to speed up and reduce the cost of trading operations, as well as increase their efficiency by eliminating intermediaries. However, tokenization has not yet become widespread.

At the moment, about 90% of the world's central banks are testing digital currencies (CBDC) – digital versions of fiat money, which contributes to the development of trade in tokenized assets. Monetary authorities are seeking to adapt the technologies that have made possible the emergence of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin.

SWIFT, which plays a key role in the global banking system, is actively involved in CBDC and tokenized asset trials. In March, the company launched a new platform that allows you to connect the CBDC being developed to the existing financial system. According to Nick Kerigan, head of SWIFT's innovation department, the industry is increasingly striving to move from testing to full-fledged operation of digital assets with real monetary settlements. This phase is expected to begin next year.