Banks and Big Tech Finally Agree on One Thing — Blockchain Works

Blockchain isn’t a proof of concept anymore — it’s becoming financial infrastructure in 2025. In Q3, legacy institutions quietly crossed the line from testing to building.

A new report shows that banks, payment networks, and cloud providers — from SWIFT and to Google Cloud and Visa —are now leveraging blockchain at scale — reshaping how global finance moves, settles, and stores value.

Q3 2025 Becomes a Turning Point for Global Blockchain Integration

The Q3 2025 Crypto x TradFi Community Report from Messari highlighted how the quarter became a defining moment in the integration of traditional finance and crypto. Major enterprises began using blockchain to streamline operations, cut transaction costs, and strengthen their market position.

JPMorgan’s Kinexys network, for example, now processes more than $2 billion in daily transactions and has cleared over $1.5 trillion since launch. In Q3, the blockchain continued expanding into carbon markets, supply-chain finance, and cross-border settlements. According to Messari’s analysts, the move indicated,

“The bank’s intent to make blockchain infrastructure a standard component of institutional settlement.”

Meanwhile, SWIFT is developing a shared real-time ledger connecting over 30 global banks. The network will operate in parallel with SWIFT’s legacy messaging system.

Beyond banking infrastructure, stablecoin-focused initiatives also gained momentum in Q3. In August, Circle introduced Arc, a new Layer-1 blockchain purpose-built for stablecoin finance.

Similarly, Stripe and Paradigm unveiled Tempo, a payments-first Layer-1 blockchain built specifically for stablecoin transactions. Its advisory partners include Deutsche Bank, Visa, Shopify, Revolut, OpenAI, and Standard Chartered.

Meanwhile, Visa rolled out a pilot program allowing select partners to pre-fund accounts with stablecoins to accelerate cross-border payouts. A broader release is planned for 2026.

Lastly, Standard Chartered’s Anchorpoint joint venture applied for a stablecoin issuance license under Hong Kong’s new regulatory regime.

“Anchorpoint’s early application positions Standard Chartered among the first multinational banks pursuing direct stablecoin issuance,” Messari noted.

Tech Firms Enter the Blockchain Infrastructure Race

While banks and payment companies were building transactional rails, technology giants were laying down the infrastructure to host them in Q3. In August, Google Cloud introduced the Universal Ledger (GCUL).

It is a neutral Layer-1 blockchain designed for banks and capital markets. Early partner CME Group is already testing GCUL for faster collateral settlement and margin optimization.

“GCUL leverages years of Google’s distributed-systems research to provide a neutral settlement network that supports multiple assets, incorporates built-in compliance, and operates 24/7,” the report highlighted.

In addition, last month, Cloudflare announced plans for NET Dollar. Unlike typical stablecoins, NET Dollar is aimed at machine-to-machine and AI-driven transactions. These initiatives highlight the scale of blockchain adoption in the last quarter.

“Enterprises aren’t experimenting with blockchain anymore; they’re building out their own chains. The question isn’t whether institutions will use blockchain infrastructure, but rather how far they will go and how quickly they will get there,” Messari’s research analyst Youssef posted.

Research by a16z Crypto confirms this adoption. Companies like Citigroup, Mastercard, and Visa are now offering or developing blockchain-driven products for customers.

Institutions are also increasing their exposure to digital assets. The 2025 EY Institutional Investor Digital Assets Survey found that 86% of institutions now hold or intend to hold digital assets, with 59% seeking allocations exceeding 5% of assets under management.

Notably, greater regulatory clarity is accelerating this shift. Banks, fintechs, institutions, and regulators are now aligning to integrate blockchain into core financial infrastructure—turning what were once experiments into the new standard for global finance.

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