- SWIFT to begin Hedera (HBAR) testing in 2025, advancing blockchain adoption in global finance.
- Hedera’s network to support SWIFT’s real-time settlements, tokenized assets, and stablecoin payments.
The global financial messaging giant SWIFT is set to begin testing Hedera (HBAR) in 2025, marking a major step toward integrating blockchain with traditional finance. With over 11,000 financial institutions connected, SWIFT processes trillions in transactions daily, and its adoption of distributed ledger technology (DLT) could accelerate crypto’s mainstream acceptance.
Industry experts believe this could revolutionize real-time settlements, tokenized assets, and micropayments, bridging the gap between legacy banking and digital currencies. The announcement follows discussions at ETHDenver, where stablecoins and blockchain’s role in cross-border transactions were key topics.
HederaCon Reveals SWIFT’s Upcoming Blockchain Integration
At HederaCon, industry analysts emphasized the potential impact of SWIFT’s decision to explore blockchain-based solutions. SWIFT has long been the backbone of international banking, handling cross-border transactions through its vast network of financial institutions. By incorporating Hedera’s technology, SWIFT aims to streamline transactions, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency in global payments.
At #HederaCon 2025, @AlisaDiCap @swiftcommunity, @SushilDropp @droppcc, and @ahmedzifzaf @Worldpay_Global, joined moderator @rob_nodl of Australian Payments Plus to discuss the original crypto “killer use case” – payments.
With stablecoins surpassing $200B in market… pic.twitter.com/wtUyMghIsp
— Hedera (@hedera) February 25, 2025
According to experts at the event, this move aligns with the broader financial industry’s push toward faster settlements and improved interoperability between fiat and digital assets. Panelists at the event, including SWIFT’s Alisa DiCaprio, Dropp’s Sushil Prabhu, and Worldpay’s Ahmed Zifzaf, discussed the implications of stablecoins and blockchain innovation in modern payment systems.
DiCaprio highlighted the G20’s target of ensuring 75% of global transactions settle within an hour by 2027 and emphasized how blockchain technology could play a crucial role in achieving this objective.
Crypto Payments and the Drive for Efficiency
The growing reliance on stablecoins and blockchain-based transactions stems from the inefficiencies of traditional financial systems, particularly in cross-border payments. Legacy banking systems often impose high fees and extended processing times, creating barriers for businesses and consumers. Stablecoins, which are pegged to fiat currencies, offer a more stable alternative for international transactions, especially in economies experiencing inflation and currency volatility.
The panel at ETHDenver delved into the regulatory and operational hurdles that must be overcome for crypto payments to achieve widespread adoption. Large enterprises remain hesitant to fully integrate crypto payments due to concerns over compliance and infrastructure compatibility. SWIFT’s involvement in blockchain testing may help address these concerns by establishing a standardized approach that financial institutions can adopt without disrupting their existing operations.
SWIFT’s Strategy for Blockchain Integration
The next phase of SWIFT’s testing will focus on digital and traditional asset interoperability. They have been building on their existing infrastructure and exploring new messaging protocols for seamless settlement. DiCaprio stressed that compliance is key, and they are working closely with banks to ensure digital asset transactions meet regulatory standards.
Companies like Dropp and Worldpay are already experimenting with real-time payments and stablecoin settlement to test the full potential of blockchain. Reducing capital costs and increasing transaction speed could change global finance. SWIFT’s testing will include delivery versus payment (DvP) and payment versus payment (PvP) mechanisms to enable settlement across multiple asset classes.
As reported by Ethnews, SWIFT’s move into blockchain could reshape the global financial system. Their ability to bridge fiat and tokenized assets could be a template for other financial institutions to modernize their payment rails. Hedera (HBAR) jumped 10% after Nasdaq filed Form 19b-4 with the US SEC to list the Canary HBAR ETF and is currently trading at $0.1973.
The post SWIFT to Begin Hedera (HBAR) Testing in 2025 – Major Milestone for Crypto Adoption appeared first on ETHNews.
