Core Viewpoint - SWIFT is launching a new global payments scheme aimed at making cross-border transfers for consumers and small businesses as fast and predictable as domestic payments, with a phased rollout starting in 2026 [1][3]. Group 1: Initiative Details - The new payments scheme will involve more than 40 banks in its development and aims to address issues such as slow delivery, unclear fees, and unpredictable exchange rates in cross-border payments [1][3]. - Participating banks will adhere to a strict rulebook that includes upfront disclosure of fees and foreign exchange rates, guaranteed full-value delivery, and end-to-end visibility on payment status [3][4]. Group 2: Industry Context - The announcement reflects a strategic shift in response to the challenges faced by traditional banking in cross-border retail payments, which have lagged behind domestic payments that settle in seconds [2][5]. - Fintech firms and blockchain-based networks have capitalized on the inefficiencies of the current correspondent banking model, which often results in delays and value loss during international transfers [5].

Key Insights - The global payment industry underwent significant changes in 2025, with stablecoins emerging as a key infrastructure for payments, gaining widespread recognition and acceptance [3] - The development of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) has been hesitant, with various countries taking different stances on their implementation [4] - The rise of AI applications in payments, particularly through AI Agents, has transformed transaction processes and user experiences [5] - The integration of Web2 and Web3 has become a hot topic, as traditional payment giants adapt to the growing influence of stablecoins [6] - The acceleration of e-wallet adoption is reshaping the global payment landscape, challenging traditional card networks [7] - A surge in mergers and acquisitions within the payment sector indicates a shift towards more specialized services and localized operations [8] - Strengthened anti-money laundering regulations are creating new challenges and changes in the payment industry [9] - A trend towards reducing payment fees is emerging, driven by competition and regulatory pressures [10][11] - The global payment infrastructure is undergoing reconstruction, with initiatives like SWIFT's ISO 20022 migration enhancing efficiency and transparency [12] - Emerging markets are gaining attention from payment companies, with significant investments and expansions occurring in regions like Africa and South America [13]

Core Insights - Ethereum has made significant progress in gaining acceptance among centralized institutions in 2025, a year marked by major regulatory changes in the crypto industry [2][3] - The network's builders have historically focused on technical achievements and decentralization, but this year has seen a shift towards broader economic and political engagement [1][2] Group 1: Institutional Adoption - Centralized institutions are urgently expanding their businesses onto blockchain networks, with a notable preference for Ethereum's multi-layer network model [5][6] - Major financial players, including Fidelity and SWIFT, have chosen Ethereum for their tokenization projects, indicating a strong institutional validation of the network [6][7] - The trend of adopting Ethereum has occurred organically, driven by its perceived suitability for business rather than through aggressive marketing efforts [5][6] Group 2: Global Reach - Financial institutions from various regions, including Upbit in South Korea, Ant Group in China, and Amundi in Europe, have engaged in tokenization projects using Ethereum [7] - The success of Ethereum in institutional settings is exemplified by the establishment of layer-2 networks, such as Base, which have gained traction in Wall Street circles [6][7]

Core Insights - FISCO BCOS has established itself as one of the largest and most active domestic open-source alliance blockchain ecosystems in China, gathering over 5,000 institutions and 100,000 individual developers, with 600 industry digitalization benchmark applications [1][24][20] - The value reassessment of FISCO BCOS revolves around three main logics: deep integration with the real economy, driving data infrastructure upgrades, and stimulating global financial innovation [1][27][32] Group 1: Industry Applications - The blockchain applications cover 19 major fields, with significant benchmark case results in infrastructure, cross-border services, smart governance, green low-carbon initiatives, healthcare, social welfare, rural revitalization, financial services, and more [2][43] - In the infrastructure sector, the Blockchain Service Network (BSN) has established a national digital credential system, while cross-border data verification platforms have addressed credit isolation issues, facilitating cross-border financing and talent mobility [2][8] - In the financial services sector, blockchain solutions have alleviated financing difficulties for small and micro enterprises through supply chain finance systems and regional equity platforms [2][10] Group 2: Technological Advancements - FISCO BCOS boasts a high performance of over 200,000 TPS (transactions per second) and is compatible with mainstream software and hardware, integrating privacy computing and artificial intelligence technologies [2][24] - The open-source nature of FISCO BCOS promotes multi-party collaboration, forming a trusted collaborative network across industries and regions [2][24] Group 3: Future Directions - FISCO BCOS aims to continue deepening technological development and expanding application scenarios, pushing blockchain further into production and daily life, becoming a cornerstone of the digital civilization era [2][20] - The establishment of cross-border data verification platforms, such as the Shenzhen-Singapore platform, exemplifies the practical value and demonstration effect of blockchain in enhancing economic cooperation and talent flow [28][30]

🔥 JUST IN: SWIFT and 30+ banks are designing a blockchain ledger to support tokenized assets alongside existing financial systems.SWIFT already connects over 11,500 financial institutions across 200+ countries. https://t.co/EHghi1C34Z ...

Core Insights - Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are evolving capital markets but face regulatory adaptation rather than complete overhaul [1][4] - The primary challenge in scaling tokenization lies in the architectural incompatibility between traditional finance (TradFi) systems and blockchain technology [4][10] - Tokenization is seen as a pathway to a programmable economy, yet it remains largely in the proof-of-concept stage [5][6] Regulatory and Compliance - Tokenized assets are generally classified as securities, necessitating compliance with existing securities regulations, including KYC/AML obligations [7][11] - Regulatory frameworks like the EU's MiCA and Germany's eWpG are crucial for institutional comfort, but operational challenges persist [1][4] - The integration of automated identity verification and blockchain analytics is becoming common to meet compliance standards [7] Operational Challenges - The transition to tokenization requires a complete re-engineering of risk management, custody, and compliance processes within financial institutions [2][10] - Current tokenization efforts are often self-contained ecosystems with limited interoperability, relying on traditional infrastructure for settlement and custody [8][9] - Programmable custody and automated compliance are essential for tokenization to evolve from pilot projects to a fully operational market [10][15] Market Potential and Risks - Tokenization of illiquid assets like private credit and corporate debt offers increased liquidity and tradability for institutional investors [17][18] - Retail investors gain access to previously inaccessible asset classes through fractional ownership, but face risks such as illiquidity and regulatory uncertainty [18][19] - The introduction of private assets into a high-speed trading environment poses untested risks, particularly under volatile market conditions [18] Technological Integration - The integration of blockchain with existing financial systems is complex, requiring a shift in operational norms and a cultural change within institutions [16][27] - High-quality data oracles can publish verified economic data to the blockchain, but operationalizing this data within regulated systems remains a challenge [14][16] - The need for secure, compliant, and scalable on-chain data storage is critical for the successful tokenization of private credit and other illiquid assets [19] Private Chains and Interoperability - Private, permissioned blockchains are emerging as regulatory sandboxes for financial institutions to experiment with tokenization while maintaining compliance [20][21] - These private chains serve as a bridge to public infrastructure, but there is a risk of creating isolated liquidity silos that undermine the goals of open finance [22][24] - The long-term success of private chains hinges on their ability to interoperate with public networks, facilitating access to global liquidity [25][24] Future of Tokenization - The winning architecture for tokenization will merge TradFi governance with DeFi programmability, enabling automated compliance and settlement [26][27] - Initiatives like SWIFT's interoperability pilots and BNY Mellon's asset management experiments are paving the way for programmable finance [27][28] - The ultimate goal is to build a financial infrastructure that minimizes friction, maximizes liquidity, and upholds security through deterministic, programmable finance [29]

Summary of the Conference Call on Stablecoins in Asia-Pacific Industry Overview - The report focuses on the evolving landscape of stablecoins in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in light of the GENIUS Act passed in July 2025 and recent stablecoin IPOs in the US [1][2] - Many Asia-Pacific countries are considering the introduction of local currency stablecoins, but the regulatory framework is still in development [1][2] Key Insights - **Regulatory Landscape**: The regulatory environment for stablecoins is rapidly evolving, with countries like Singapore, Australia, and Japan already having frameworks in place for stablecoin issuance [11][20] - **Adoption Potential**: Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong are identified as having the highest potential for stablecoin adoption due to their familiarity with crypto and high cashless payment rates [3][10] - **Market Size**: The USD-denominated stablecoin market cap is approximately $300 billion, while Asia currency-based stablecoin market cap is only around $49 million, indicating significant room for growth [9] Opportunities and Challenges - **Cross-Border Payments**: Stablecoins present a natural opportunity for cross-border payments, with potential transaction cost reductions of 60-80% compared to traditional systems [29] - **Corporate Interest**: Corporates are beginning to shift their focus towards stablecoins, with some already signing agreements for stablecoin transactions [2][40] - **Financial Institutions' Response**: Local banks are becoming increasingly aware of the risks posed by stablecoins, particularly regarding FX commissions and trade finance earnings [40] Regulatory Developments - **Australia**: The RBA is exploring the role of stablecoins through Project Acadia, focusing on the development of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) [17] - **Korea**: The Bank of Korea emphasizes the need for traditional banks to lead stablecoin initiatives to ensure monetary policy efficacy [17] - **Hong Kong**: The Stablecoins Ordinance requires a license for stablecoin issuance, with 36 applications received by the HKMA as of September 2025 [17] - **China**: The PBOC maintains a cautious stance towards stablecoins, focusing on the promotion of the digital yuan instead [18] Market Dynamics - **Demographics**: Countries with a higher share of younger populations and foreign workers are expected to drive demand for stablecoins, particularly for cross-border remittances [10][11] - **Technological Adoption**: Advanced digitization in Asia, characterized by a young population of "digital natives," supports higher adoption rates for stablecoins [6] Financial Institutions' Initiatives - Financial institutions are adapting to the changing landscape by exploring partnerships and developing blockchain-based solutions for stablecoin transactions [63] - Examples include POSCO International's collaboration with JPMorgan Kinexys for a blockchain-based global payment system and Mitsubishi Corporation's plans to use JPY-pegged stablecoin for internal payments [45] Conclusion - The stablecoin ecosystem in Asia-Pacific is still in its early stages, but the potential for growth is significant as regulatory frameworks develop and corporates begin to adopt these digital currencies [1][2][9]

Core Insights - The article highlights a significant shift in global currency payment proportions, with the euro's share rising to 37.79% and the dollar's share decreasing to 38.85%, indicating a narrowing gap between the two currencies [1][3][10] - The increase in euro usage is attributed to the recovery of the European economy and more stable monetary policies from the European Central Bank, while the dollar's decline is linked to fluctuations in U.S. interest rates [3][4] - The Chinese yuan has also seen growth, reaching a 4.61% share in global payments, up from less than 2% in 2020, driven by China's expanding trade relationships [4][7][10] Currency Payment Trends - The euro's payment share increased by nearly 6 percentage points over the past year, while the dollar's share dropped by over 3 percentage points, reflecting a rare speed of change in the international monetary system [1][3] - The total foreign trade of Germany, France, and Italy alone exceeded 4 trillion euros in 2024, showcasing the active internal trade within the EU [3][4] - The yuan's cross-border payment amount exceeded 52 trillion yuan in the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 24.1% year-on-year growth [4][5] Factors Influencing Currency Choices - The preference for euro payments among European traders is driven by lower exchange rate risks and transaction costs [1][3] - The rise of the yuan in international trade is supported by China's position as the world's second-largest economy and its increasing trade with various countries [4][5] - The development of multiple cross-border payment systems, such as CIPS and TARGET2, has facilitated the diversification of currency usage [8][10] Future Outlook - The trend towards currency diversification is expected to continue, with the euro potentially surpassing the dollar in certain months as the leading payment currency [10][11] - The yuan's share is anticipated to rise further, possibly challenging the positions of the pound and yen in the global payment landscape [10][11] - The ongoing changes in currency payment proportions reflect broader adjustments in the global economic landscape, indicating a move away from a dollar-centric system [7][10]

Jievani / Shutterstock.com Quick Read Ripple (XRP) CEO claims the XRP Ledger could handle 14% of SWIFT’s volume within five years, equating to roughly $21 trillion annually. Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity service processed $1.3 trillion in Q2 2025 and cuts settlement times from days to seconds. SWIFT’s 11,000 institution network and XRP’s 94% drop in active addresses (105K→6K) create major adoption hurdles. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions cau ...

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