SWIFT Pilots On-Chain Messaging and Stablecoin on Linea, Report Says

SWIFT is advancing its use of blockchain by selecting Linea, a Layer 2 platform developed by Consensys, for a pilot that will test moving its messaging system into a blockchain environment and explore the use of a stablecoin. More than a dozen major banks, including BNP Paribas and BNY Mellon, are taking part in the trial to explore how blockchain could improve interbank communication.

Linea Chosen for Privacy and Security

On Friday, The Big Whale reported that the project is expected to take several months to materialise. Citing a source from one of the participating banks, the report stated that the initiative “promises a major technological transformation for the international interbank payments industry.”

Explaining the reason for selecting Linea, Grégory Raymond, co-founder of The Big Whale, stated on X that the network prioritises privacy through advanced cryptographic proofs, designed to enable banks to innovate while remaining fully compliant. This focus on privacy and compliance provides the foundation for SWIFT’s wider blockchain initiatives.

In line with this, SWIFT is testing blockchain as a way to make payments faster, increase transparency, and enable more automated processing, all while maintaining strict regulatory oversight. These steps demonstrate how the network is approaching innovation carefully, balancing efficiency and compliance in its interbank operations.

Building on these initiatives, SWIFT has previously explored blockchain and said that banks will begin live tests of digital instruments and transactions on its network this year. The organisation, which connects 11,000 banks worldwide, is also developing an interbank token, according to The Big Whale.

SWIFT Faces Challenges Amid Growing Blockchain Competition

While the project still has several months before going live, The Big Whale highlighted some key challenges that the project will need to address:

• Integrating the blockchain system with existing banking infrastructure.
• Meeting regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions.
• Ensuring that privacy safeguards are strong and reliable

At the same time, competition in international payments is increasing. Ripple has promoted its blockchain network as a faster and lower-cost alternative to SWIFT’s traditional system and recently showcased a stablecoin prototype that allows businesses to conduct global transactions and exchange digital assets for local currencies. These developments show how both networks are turning to blockchain to adapt to evolving payment needs.

Meanwhile, following the news, the Linea token, LINEA, rose by more than 14% in 24 hours. The increase coincided with growing attention on SWIFT’s blockchain pilot and the broader adoption of blockchain solutions in banking.