As the global payment system upgrade enters its final countdown, institutions involved in cross-border remittances are facing new pressures to modernize their technology. Foreign media report that SWIFT will no longer support fully unstructured postal addresses in CBPR+ messages starting November 2026. Institutions that fail to make the necessary adjustments may experience payment delays, increased processing costs, or even transaction failures.
This is a specific change in the implementation of ISO 20022. The standard aims to enhance the quality, transparency, and processing efficiency of cross-border payments and has been incorporated into the G20 Roadmap for Improving International Payments. The article suggests that this is not merely a compliance update, but also signifies that banking systems are continuing to transition from legacy messaging systems to more digital payment infrastructures.
The deadline refers to the payment system upgrade.
The new requirements mentioned by SWIFT focus on standardizing message formats and structuring information. This will require banks and payment institutions to invest in system upgrades, process adjustments, and data governance.
- Increase transparency in cross-border payments
- Reduce processing friction and manual costs
- Improve the efficiency of cross-border fund transfers
Foreign media 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 cross-border payment pain points Ripple has long sought to address, including settlement speed, liquidity management, and cross-border transfer efficiency.
Following this logic, if financial institutions prioritize real-time settlement and fund transfer efficiency during upgrades, Ripple’s payment solution may receive increased attention. The article notes that XRP is viewed by some supporters as a bridge asset that can reduce reliance on pre-funded accounts in traditional cross-border payments.
Adopting ISO 20022 does not mean adopting XRP.
However, the article clearly states that there is no direct correlation between completing the ISO 20022 upgrade and adopting XRP. Banks can fully transition to the new standard and continue operating their existing payment systems without engaging with digital assets.
Foreign media's core assessment is that the new payment environment may provide greater competitive opportunities for technology solutions that emphasize speed, efficiency, and interoperability. Whether XRP will become a primary beneficiary still depends on banks’ actual deployment paths and whether Ripple’s solution can achieve broader adoption within the traditional financial system.