Global payments are entering a new chapter. For decades, SWIFT has been the backbone of cross-border transactions, handling trillions of dollars daily. But its system has long faced criticism for being slow, costly, and heavily dependent on intermediaries.
The tide is shifting. Recent Swift Crypto News points to a bold step. SWIFT is exploring blockchain for settlement, moving beyond its role as a messaging network. What makes this development even more significant is the choice of technology partner, Ethereum Layer 2 Linea.
As part of a new wave of Ethereum Layer 2 projects, Linea is gaining attention for its scalability and security. The news has sparked interest not only in banks and enterprises but also across the crypto space. This shift is more than just another headline in Linea Crypto News.
It represents a potential redefinition of how money moves across borders. While XRP has long been positioned as a payment-focused blockchain, recent XRP Swift News highlights growing competition as Ethereum-based solutions enter the global stage.
In 2025, one question stands out: Is Linea the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain that SWIFT will lean on to reshape the future of payments?
Why SWIFT’s Move Matters?
For over 50 years, SWIFT has been the central messaging system that connects more than 11,000 financial entities across 200 countries. It does not move money directly. Instead, it provides secure instructions that banks rely on for international payments. This system has worked reliably but has often been described as slow and costly.
Traditional SWIFT transfers take two to three business days to complete. They depend on working hours across time zones and involve multiple intermediaries. Each step adds fees and creates delays. This has left SWIFT exposed to comparisons with blockchain-based alternatives, where transfers can settle in seconds.
In recent years, blockchain rails and Ethereum Layer 2 solutions have demonstrated faster, cheaper, and borderless settlement. Stablecoins like USDC and USDT already process billions daily, showing that real-time value transfer is possible. Ripple’s technology has also been tested, as seen in ongoing XRP Swift News, but the latest development shows SWIFT’s attention is shifting.
The Benefits of SWIFT’s Blockchain Transition
Faster Settlement Times
Traditional SWIFT transfers often take two to three business days, limited by banking hours and time zones. By shifting toward blockchain, settlement can occur in minutes or even seconds. With Ethereum Layer 2 solutions like Linea Ethereum L2, payments no longer depend on intermediaries or regional cut-off times. This change positions Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain technology as a true enabler of 24/7 global payments.
Lower Costs Through Fewer Intermediaries
One of the major criticisms of SWIFT has been the fees involved in routing payments through multiple correspondent banks. By adopting Ethereum Layer 2 projects, SWIFT can streamline settlement, cutting down unnecessary costs. Linea Layer 2 offers a cost-efficient rail, creating opportunities for smaller banks and fintechs to compete on a level playing field.
Enhanced Transparency and Security
Blockchain introduces immutable records and cryptographic safeguards. For SWIFT, this means greater transparency and reduced risk of fraud or dispute. In the context of Swift Crypto News, this development shows how Linea Crypto News is tied to stronger auditability for cross-border transactions.
Unlocking Global Liquidity
With faster settlement, capital is no longer trapped in the banking pipeline for days. This unlocks liquidity, giving corporations and financial players more flexibility in managing funds. By relying on Ethereum Layer 2 Linea, SWIFT enables real-time access to tokenized deposits, regulated stablecoins, and potentially CBDCs, bridging traditional and digital assets.
Building Interoperability for the Future
SWIFT’s choice of Linea Ethereum L2 is not just about performance. It is about creating a flexible framework that can connect multiple asset types. Unlike relying solely on XRP or HBAR, this approach makes it easier to plug in different tokens as adoption grows. That adaptability is why this story has become one of the most important headlines in Swift Crypto News.
Keep up with the latest in SWIFT, Linea, and other blockchain developments
Why SWIFT Chose Linea Over XRP or Hedera?
Before SWIFT made its blockchain decision public, the market widely speculated that XRP or Hedera might be the natural choice.
- XRP Ledger (Ripple): Known for real-time payments and liquidity solutions, XRP has been used in cross-border transfers with a proven track record. Many expected SWIFT to adopt it to modernize settlement.
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): Hedera offers high throughput, fast finality, and enterprise governance. Its tokenized asset support makes it attractive for institutional networks.
Despite these capabilities, SWIFT opted for a different route.
Linea’s Key Advantages
a. Privacy and Security Through zk-Proofs
- Linea leverages zero-knowledge proofs, which allow transaction validation without revealing sensitive data.
- For a network like SWIFT, privacy is critical because banks exchange instructions containing confidential business and financial information.
- Compared to XRP or Hedera, Linea provides stronger cryptographic guarantees for interbank messaging while enabling real-time settlement.
b. Ethereum Ecosystem Compatibility
- Linea is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain, which means it is fully compatible with Ethereum’s smart contract infrastructure.
- This allows SWIFT to access a wide range of regulated stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and other Ethereum Layer 2 solutions without building custom infrastructure.
- XRP and Hedera are more specialized networks; integrating a broad token ecosystem would require additional layers or bridges.
c. Scalability and Speed
- As an Ethereum L2, Linea can handle thousands of transactions per second while maintaining low fees and high throughput.
- This ensures that SWIFT can support large-scale cross-border payments efficiently.
- While Hedera is high-throughput and XRP is fast for payments, Linea provides a balance of speed, programmability, and integration flexibility.
d. Flexibility for Multiple Assets
- SWIFT’s vision is not limited to one token. It aims to create rails that can work with stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and potentially CBDCs.
- Linea allows SWIFT to build a modular ledger, capable of accommodating multiple asset types.
- XRP and HBAR could still integrate later, but Linea serves as the neutral base.
e. Institutional Collaboration
- The pilot reportedly involves major banks like BNP Paribas and BNY Mellon.
- Linea’s design as a programmable Ethereum L2 makes it easier for institutions to experiment safely within a permissioned, compliant framework.
- Its compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem also reduces the learning curve for banks already exploring blockchain and tokenized assets.
Strategic Implications
SWIFT’s decision to pilot Ethereum Layer 2 Linea sets a benchmark for how large financial networks can adopt blockchain. By leveraging Linea Layer 2, banks and corporations can explore Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain solutions that are privacy-focused, scalable, and compatible with existing financial infrastructure.
Positioning Ethereum Layer 2 Projects as Industry Leaders
The selection of Linea signals the growing relevance of Ethereum Layer 2 projects beyond DeFi or retail crypto use. Enterprises and financial institutions are beginning to recognize that Linea Crypto News is more than market hype—it reflects real-world use cases where speed, security, and compliance converge.
Opportunities for Banks
With Ethereum Layer 2 solutions, institutions can:
- Reduce settlement times from days to minutes.
- Lower transaction costs by removing intermediaries.
- Maintain regulatory compliance while experimenting with tokenized assets.
Shaping the Future of Global Payments
By adopting Linea Layer 2, SWIFT is creating a modular platform that can integrate multiple asset types. This strategy ensures flexibility, allowing XRP, HBAR, and other digital assets to coexist. It also positions Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain technology as a central pillar in the evolution of cross-border payments.
The Role of Regulation in Blockchain Adoption
Blockchain adoption by global financial networks depends heavily on regulatory clarity. For SWIFT, piloting Ethereum Layer 2 Linea is only part of the story. The broader success of Ethereum Layer 2 solutions hinges on compliance with international frameworks that govern tokenized assets, stablecoins, and cross-border settlements.
United States Oversight
U.S. regulators, including the SEC and CFTC, actively scrutinize tokenized assets. Any Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain used for settlement must align with securities and derivatives laws. The Federal Reserve’s approach to CBDCs will also influence SWIFT’s adoption strategy, making compliance a critical factor in Swift Crypto News discussions.
European Union Frameworks
The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) establishes rules for stablecoins and tokenized financial instruments. By leveraging Linea Ethereum L2, SWIFT can integrate within these frameworks while providing banks and corporates with compliant settlement options. Coverage in Linea Crypto News highlights how Ethereum Layer 2 projects are increasingly relevant to EU regulations.
Asia-Pacific Developments
Countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan are actively piloting tokenized bonds and digital payments. These initiatives make Asia a prime testing ground for Ethereum Layer 2 Linea, enabling real-time settlement while adhering to regional regulatory requirements.
Middle East Progress
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are developing tokenized settlement rails for trade and remittances. Adoption of Linea Layer 2 in these markets could accelerate SWIFT’s blockchain strategy while demonstrating the global applicability of Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain solutions.
The Compliance Imperative
For SWIFT and its network of banks, aligning Ethereum Layer 2 projects with regulatory standards is essential. Without compliance, institutions may hesitate to onboard, slowing adoption. The ongoing Swift Crypto News coverage underscores that regulatory clarity is now the key gatekeeper for large-scale blockchain deployment.
Learn how Antier helps enterprises leverage Ethereum Layer 2 projects
Conclusion
SWIFT’s decision to pilot Ethereum Layer 2 Linea marks a turning point in global payments. By moving beyond messaging and exploring blockchain settlement, SWIFT is addressing long-standing inefficiencies in speed, cost, and liquidity. Linea Layer 2 offers the privacy, scalability, and flexibility required for a modern cross-border payment system. Unlike XRP or Hedera, Linea provides a modular platform capable of supporting stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and CBDCs, while remaining compatible with the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Antier helps enterprises and financial institutions leverage Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain solutions like Linea to build faster, more secure, and compliant payment systems. Whether it’s tokenized deposits, stablecoins, or cross-border payment rails, our team guides you through the entire blockchain integration journey.
