ABSTRACT

The decentralization of international payments is emerging as a transformative trend in the global financial system, driven by blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). This paper explores the shift from traditional, centralized payment infrastructures toward decentralized alternatives, assessing their impact on transaction efficiency, cost reduction, financial inclusion, and financial stability. A special focus is placed on the evolving role of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), historically the backbone of international cross-border payments. Through a combination of theoretical review and empirical time series analysis based on SWIFT message data from 2014 to 2022, the study evaluates SWIFT’s resilience and adaptation in the face of decentralization pressures. The findings reveal a permanent upward trend in SWIFT traffic, coupled with seasonal fluctuations, suggesting that while decentralization is expanding, SWIFT remains a central actor by innovating its infrastructure. The study also discusses the regulatory challenges posed by decentralized systems and the need for balanced frameworks to foster innovation while safeguarding stability. This research concludes that international payments, where traditional and decentralized models seem to coexist.