Citi's use of Swift blockchain extends tokenized deposits' reach

Citi has integrated its proprietary Citi Token Services with Swift’s new permissioned blockchain network to enable the cross-institutional movement of tokenized deposits. Previously, Citi’s tokenized deposits were restricted to its internal network, creating a siloed environment that limited the utility of digital assets for global payments. By leveraging Swift’s distributed ledger, which utilizes a layer-two protocol compatible with Ethereum and developed with Consensys, Citi can now facilitate interoperability with other major financial institutions. This development addresses the central limitation of proprietary ledgers by providing a common coordination mechanism for banks to settle transactions without building complex bilateral connections. Seventeen major global banks, including BNY, HSBC, and UBS, are supporting this initiative to modernize correspondent banking. The integration allows for immutable payment messaging while maintaining the security and compliance standards of the traditional Swift network. This move represents a significant step toward a hub-and-spoke architecture that could eventually scale tokenized deposit settlements to a global level.