The financial industry is undergoing one of the most profound technological shifts in decades. Once the unquestioned backbone of international payments, the SWIFT network is now being forced to reckon with the disruptive rise of blockchain.
After years of resistance, SWIFT has signaled a significant shift in strategy with recent announcements to integrate distributed ledger technology. Against this backdrop, software developer Vincent Van Code has argued that SWIFT may go beyond simply adopting blockchain — it may ultimately seek to acquire Ripple, the company behind the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
SWIFT’s Late Entry into Blockchain
SWIFT has long dominated cross-border settlements, processing trillions of dollars in global transactions. However, its messaging-based infrastructure has drawn criticism for being slow, costly, and opaque. While blockchain platforms emerged more than a decade ago to challenge these inefficiencies, SWIFT initially downplayed their relevance.
After 12 years of observing blockchain development, SWIFT is now actively testing a blockchain-based ledger to enhance transaction speed, support tokenization, and streamline global liquidity flows. The shift reveals a clear recognition: the old rails are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of modern finance.
Ask yourself: why is SWIFT, after 12 years of seeing blockchain technology evolve around them, decide NOW to start considering it as part of its solution.
The last breath of an old, dying beast.
XRPL and Ripple have built and proven their tech for the past 10 years, it's…
— Vincent Van Code (@vincent_vancode) September 29, 2025
Why Ripple Stands Out
Ripple has spent the past decade perfecting blockchain solutions for cross-border payments. Its products, such as RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), already enable banks and financial institutions to settle instantly without depending on pre‑funded accounts.
At the core of this infrastructure is the XRP Ledger — a public, decentralized blockchain designed for high throughput, security, and low‑cost transactions.
Ripple stands out not only for its technology but also for its strong ties to the institutional finance sector. While many blockchain projects focus on retail or speculative use cases, Ripple has consistently targeted banks, payment providers, and remittance firms, building middleware that helps institutions safely connect to blockchain rails.
A Technical and Strategic Fit
SWIFT’s planned blockchain ledger is designed to validate transactions, enforce compliance rules, and support tokenized assets. These are features Ripple has already proven in real‑world corridors. Acquiring Ripple would therefore give SWIFT immediate access to a mature, battle‑tested solution rather than forcing it to build one from scratch.
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The strategic fit is also clear: Ripple brings speed and efficiency, while SWIFT offers unmatched reach with more than 11,000 institutional members worldwide. Together, they could unify legacy financial networks with modern blockchain rails, creating a hybrid infrastructure capable of handling trillions in tokenized and fiat assets.
The Institutional and Regulatory Landscape
The idea of SWIFT acquiring Ripple, however, is not without challenges. SWIFT is a member‑owned cooperative, while Ripple is a private company backed by shareholders. Aligning these models would require careful negotiation.
Regulatory concerns also remain a significant factor. Ripple only recently achieved greater legal clarity in the United States after years of litigation with the SEC, clearing away a major obstacle that once clouded its institutional appeal. With appeals withdrawn and the case concluded, Ripple is now more attractive to potential buyers or partners.
Still, questions of antitrust approval, governance, and the willingness of SWIFT’s member banks to embrace such a bold acquisition remain open.
A Plausible but Bold Scenario
Vincent Van Code’s perspective highlights a growing recognition: SWIFT can no longer ignore blockchain, and Ripple represents one of the most advanced, institution‑ready solutions in existence. An acquisition would be bold and complex, but strategically, it could give SWIFT the tools to remain relevant in a tokenized future.
As blockchain adoption accelerates, the financial world is watching to see whether SWIFT will merely modernize or take the decisive leap of integrating Ripple’s technology outright. Whether through acquisition or partnership, the convergence of these two payment giants could redefine the global flow of money for decades to come.
Disclaimer: The content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in‑depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.