DBS and Citi complete weekend USD payment via Swift’s Digital Ledger using tokenized deposits

DBS Bank and Citi have successfully executed a live cross-border payment using tokenized deposits on the Swift blockchain ledger. This transaction marks the second confirmed use of Swift's distributed ledger technology, demonstrating the network's capability to facilitate instant, 24/7 settlements. By leveraging tokenized deposits, the banks aim to modernize traditional correspondent banking rails that typically suffer from delays and limited operating hours. The integration highlights Swift's strategic pivot to remain competitive against emerging digital payment infrastructures and private blockchain solutions. This development is significant for the RWA market as it validates the utility of tokenized commercial bank money in institutional cross-border flows. The successful pilot underscores a growing industry trend where traditional financial institutions utilize blockchain to enhance liquidity management and settlement efficiency. As Swift continues to test its ledger, the move signals a broader institutional shift toward programmable money and real-time global value transfer.