As the global payment system upgrade enters its final countdown, cross-border remittance institutions are facing new pressure to adapt technologically. Foreign media reports that SWIFT will no longer support fully unstructured postal addresses in CBPR+ messages starting in November 2026. Institutions that fail to make the necessary adjustments may face payment delays, increased processing costs, and even transaction failures.
This is a specific change in the implementation of ISO 20022. The standard aims to improve data quality, transparency, and processing efficiency in cross-border payments and has also been incorporated into the G20 roadmap for improving international payments. The article argues that this is not merely a compliance update, but also signifies that the banking system is continuing its shift from traditional messaging systems to a more digital payment infrastructure.
The deadline points to a payment system upgrade.
The new requirements mentioned by SWIFT focus on the standardization of message formats and the structuring of information. For banks and payment institutions, this will require investment in system upgrades, process adjustments, and data governance.
- Improve the transparency of cross-border payments
- Reduce friction and labor costs
- Improve the efficiency of cross-border capital flows
Foreign media outlets view XRP as a potential beneficiary.
Foreign media believe that ISO 20022 itself does not require banks to use XRP or adopt blockchain technology. However, the core issues driving this upgrade overlap with the pain points of cross-border payments that Ripple has been trying to solve for many years, including settlement speed, liquidity management, and efficiency of cross-border transfers.
Following this logic, if financial institutions prioritize real-time settlement and fund transfer efficiency during their upgrades, Ripple's payment solutions may gain more traction. The article mentions that XRP is viewed by some supporters as a bridging asset that can reduce reliance on pre-funded accounts in traditional cross-border payments.
Adopting ISO 20022 is not the same as adopting XRP.
However, the article also clearly points out that there is no direct correlation between completing the ISO 20022 upgrade and adopting XRP. Banks can migrate to the new standard and continue operating their existing payment systems without handling digital assets.
Foreign media's core assessment is that the new payment environment may give technological solutions emphasizing speed, efficiency, and interoperability more competitive opportunities. Whether XRP will become the main beneficiary remains to be seen, depending on the actual deployment path of banks and whether the Ripple solution can gain wider adoption in the traditional financial system.
