SWIFT has launched a new global payment scheme designed to make cross-border transfers for consumers and small businesses as fast and predictable as domestic payments. The program is scheduled to be rolled out in phases starting in 2026 and requires participating banks to provide pre-disclosed fee and exchange rate information, guaranteed full receipt and end-to-end payment tracking. This move is a direct response to long-standing criticism of correspondent banking models, particularly regarding transparency and predictability – issues that Ripple has highlighted for years. While SWIFT's solution enhances the customer experience, it does not change the underlying settlement mechanism or reduce banks' reliance on prepaid accounts, leaving room for alternative models such as Ripple's blockchain-based solution in specific transaction channels.