Societe Generale works with Swift to settle tokenize bonds using cash and stablecoins

The cryptocurrency and stablecoin-focused arm of French bank Societe Generale (GLE), SG-FORGE, is working with Swift, the global interbank messaging system, to exchange and settle tokenized bonds using both fiat and digital currencies, the bank said Thursday.

The transaction was carried out using SG-FORGE's EURCV$1.1631 stablecoin, the first MiCA [Markets in Crypto Assets]-compliant stablecoin natively compatible with Swift, which played an orchestration role across blockchain platforms and existing payment systems, the bank said.

The transaction “demonstrated the feasibility of key market operation use cases: issuance, delivery-versus payment (DvP) settlement, coupon payments and redemption,” SG-FORGE said.

Blockchain technology and stablecoin settlement rails are often touted as an alternative to Swift. It this case SocGen is pushing the collaborative possibilities between existing and emergent infrastructure.

As such, tokenized bonds can leverage existing payment infrastructures, enabling financial institutions to benefit from faster settlements through the integration of ISO 20022 standards, the bank said.

“This milestone demonstrates how collaboration and interoperability will shape the future of capital markets," said Thomas Dugauquier, tokenized assets product lead at Swift. "By proving that Swift can orchestrate multi-platform tokenized asset transactions, we’re paving the way for our customers to adopt digital assets with confidence, and at scale. It’s about creating a bridge between existing finance and emerging technologies.”

The trial is part of a broader series of digital asset and currency use cases led by Swift. In September last year, Swift said it would work with more than 30 global banks on the development of a shared digital ledger based on blockchain, which will initially focus on enabling real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments.