In a recent LinkedIn post, Lissele Pratt explores the significant implications of Swift’s upcoming pilot for 24/7 cross-border payments using tokenized deposits. Pratt, a seasoned payments professional with over 11 years of experience, argues that the true significance of this development lies not in its blockchain underpinnings, but in the pressure it exerts on the traditional banking model.
According to Pratt, the established system of banking hours, cut-off times, and payment windows is increasingly misaligned with the demands of global business operations today. She highlights the market’s response to a clear need for more fluid money movement.
“Businesses want money movement that works at night, on weekends, and across time zones without everything stopping because the banking day ended somewhere else.”
Challenging the Status Quo of Banking Hours
Pratt posits that Swift’s initiative is a direct response to the evolving expectations of the market. The pilot program, involving 17 global banks, aims to enable round-the-clock cross-border transactions, a feature that is rapidly transitioning from a desirable perk to a fundamental requirement.
As Lissele Pratt notes, the innovation is less about Swift embracing cryptocurrency and more about traditional infrastructure adapting to a landscape already influenced by fintech advancements.
The Influence of Fintech and Stablecoins
Pratt points out that the success of stablecoins and other digital asset rails in demonstrating the viability of ‘always-on’ money movement has compelled established players like Swift to innovate. “Stablecoins and digital asset rails have already shown the market what always-on movement can look like, and now traditional infrastructure is being pushed to respond in its own regulated way,” she writes.
“Tokenised bank money is moving closer to real payment use cases.”
This push, in Pratt’s view, signifies a critical juncture for Swift as it seeks to modernize its systems and maintain relevance in the face of emerging fintech competitors.
Key Takeaways from Pratt’s Analysis
Lissele Pratt outlines several key takeaways from Swift’s announcement, emphasizing the growing importance of continuous availability in financial services.
- 24/7 availability is becoming a serious expectation, not a nice to have.
- Tokenised bank money is moving closer to real payment use cases.
- Cross-border infrastructure is being pushed to become more flexible.
She concludes that the traditional payment timetable is becoming increasingly obsolete. Pratt invites discussion on whether tokenized bank deposits will pose a genuine challenge to stablecoin-based cross-border flows, underscoring the dynamic nature of the payments landscape.
“The old payment timetable is starting to look outdated.”
Pratt’s analysis underscores the imperative for financial infrastructure to adapt to the real-time demands of global commerce, suggesting that the future of cross-border payments will be defined by flexibility and continuous operation.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Lissele Pratt on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 14, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →