BIS Project Agorá settles $1 million in tokenized cross-border payment trials

cointelegraphPublished on 2026-07-31Last updated on 2026-07-31

Abstract

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has announced the completion of initial real-value trials for Project Agorá, a tokenized cross-border payment system. The trials involved 28 central and commercial banks settling approximately $1 million (800,000 Swiss francs) across 17 different transaction scenarios. The system successfully used tokenized central bank reserves and commercial bank deposits to process payments in six major currencies, with average settlement times of around 80 seconds. Participants included major central banks such as the Bank of England and Bank of Japan, alongside global commercial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Citi. Launched in 2024, Project Agorá aims to explore how tokenization can improve wholesale cross-border payments, with this phase marking a key milestone. The BIS confirmed testing will continue as the project develops.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said Project Agorá completed real-value testing of tokenized wholesale cross-border payments, with 28 financial institutions and central banks settling about 800,000 Swiss francs (about $1 million) across 17 transaction scenarios.

The BIS said Thursday that the tests used tokenized central bank reserves and commercial bank deposits to settle payments in Swiss francs, euros, pounds sterling, Japanese yen, South Korean won and US dollars, with an average settlement time of about 80 seconds.

Participants included the Bank of England, Bank of France, Bank of Japan, Bank of Korea and the Swiss National Bank, alongside commercial banks including JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, UBS, Standard Chartered and MUFG.

Project Agorá is a BIS initiative launched in 2024 to explore how tokenized commercial bank deposits and central bank reserves can improve cross-border wholesale payments. In May, the project reported that its prototype demonstrated atomic settlement across multiple currencies and jurisdictions.

The BIS said the July trials marked an important milestone and that testing will continue as Project Agorá progresses.

Related: Former BIS chief softens stance on stablecoins, backs coexistence with fiat

Trending Cryptos

Related Questions

QWhat is the main achievement announced by the BIS regarding Project Agorá?

AProject Agorá successfully completed real-value testing of tokenized wholesale cross-border payments, settling about 800,000 Swiss francs (approximately $1 million) across 17 different transaction scenarios.

QWhich currencies were used in the settlement trials conducted by Project Agorá?

AThe trials settled payments using Swiss francs, euros, pounds sterling, Japanese yen, South Korean won, and US dollars.

QWhat was the average settlement time for the tokenized payments in the BIS trials?

AThe average settlement time for the tokenized payments was about 80 seconds.

QName some of the participating central banks and commercial banks in the Project Agorá trials.

ACentral banks included the Bank of England, Bank of France, Bank of Japan, Bank of Korea, and the Swiss National Bank. Commercial banks included JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, UBS, Standard Chartered, and MUFG.

QWhat is the primary goal of Project Agorá, launched by the BIS in 2024?

AProject Agorá aims to explore how tokenized commercial bank deposits and central bank reserves can improve cross-border wholesale payments.

Related Reads

Stocks Fell Even More Violently Than Crypto, Where Did the Money Go?

From June to late July 2026, global stock markets, particularly technology and semiconductor stocks, experienced severe declines, with South Korea's KOSPI index facing historic circuit breakers and shedding 40% from its June peak. Key catalysts included SK Hynix's earnings miss despite record profits and competitive pressures from China's CXMT IPO. A global forced deleveraging event unfolded, devastating highly leveraged instruments like the 2x leveraged SK Hynix ETF, which lost over 80% of its value. Surprisingly, Bitcoin showed relative stability during this period, rising roughly 15% from its July low. The article clarifies this wasn't due to an inflow of equity flight capital but because Bitcoin had already undergone a significant correction in May and June, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs seeing record outflows. True safe-haven flows went to gold, severing Bitcoin's short-term "digital gold" narrative. The sell-off is characterized not as an AI story collapse but a liquidity-driven清算 of crowded leveraged positions, potentially halfway through according to some analysts. For substantial capital to return to Bitcoin, the article cites necessary conditions: eased global liquidity pressure, a soft-landing Fed rate cut, and regulatory clarity from the stalled U.S. CLARITY Act. The conclusion is that Bitcoin is not a current safe haven but a pre-cleared asset. Its decoupling from tech stocks highlights its potential future role as a non-correlated asset for institutional portfolios, positioning it favorably for when global capital reallocates post-crisis.

marsbit19m ago

Stocks Fell Even More Violently Than Crypto, Where Did the Money Go?

marsbit19m ago

"The Final Phase Before the New Cycle". What Will Happen to Bitcoin in August

"Bitcoin Faces Crucial Test in August: Experts Predict Consolidation or Further Decline" The price of Bitcoin (BTC) is expected to remain under pressure in August, with experts anticipating either consolidation within a narrow range or a potential drop below $60,000. Despite a double-digit recovery from its July low near $58,000, BTC ended the month trading around $63,500, still roughly 50% below its October 2025 peak of $126,200. Analysts cite several headwinds: a challenging macroeconomic environment with high US interest rates and persistent inflation, which makes fixed-income assets more attractive than speculative ones like crypto. Furthermore, competition for capital is intense, with many investors favoring AI-related stocks. This is reflected in significant outflows from US spot Bitcoin ETFs, with a record $4.5 billion leaving in June and a net outflow of $5.4 billion for the first half of the year. Historically, August is a weak month for crypto, with a median return of -7.49% from 2013 to 2025. Experts also note regulatory uncertainty in the US, particularly the stalled CLARITY Act, as a dampening factor. Despite the bearish near-term outlook, several experts view the current phase as the "last phase before a new Bitcoin cycle" begins, potentially in Q4 2024. This makes it a favorable time for accumulating Bitcoin for the long term. Key price levels to watch are support at $60,000-$61,000, with a break below $58,000 potentially leading to $53,000-$55,000. A move above $67,000 could target $70,000-$75,000, though this is considered a lower probability scenario.

cryptonews.ru24m ago

"The Final Phase Before the New Cycle". What Will Happen to Bitcoin in August

cryptonews.ru24m ago

Trading

Spot

Hot Articles

What is $BANK

Bank AI: A Revolutionary Step in the Future of Banking Introduction In an era marked by rapid advancements in technology, Bank AI stands at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and banking services. This innovative project seeks to redefine the financial landscape, enhancing operational efficiency, security measures, and customer experiences through the power of AI. As we embark on this exploration of Bank AI, we will delve into what the project entails, its operational dynamics, its historical context, and significant milestones. What is Bank AI? At its core, Bank AI represents a transformative initiative aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into various banking operations. This project harnesses the capabilities of AI to automate processes, improve risk management protocols, and enhance customer interaction through personalised services. The primary objectives of Bank AI include: Automation of Banking Functions: By leveraging AI technologies, Bank AI aims to automate routine tasks, reducing the burden on human resources and enhancing efficiency. Enhanced Risk Management: The project utilises AI algorithms to predict and identify risks, thereby fortifying security measures against fraud and other threats. Personalisation of Banking Services: Bank AI focuses on offering tailored financial products and services by analysing customer data and behaviours. Improving Customer Experience: The implementation of AI-driven solutions, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, aims to provide users with more human-like interactions, revolutionising the way customers engage with banks. With these goals, Bank AI positions itself as a crucial player in rendering banking more efficient, secure, and user-centric. Who is the Creator of Bank AI? Details regarding the creator of Bank AI remain unknown. As such, no specific individual or organisation has been identified in the available information. The anonymity surrounding the project's inception raises questions but does not detract from its ambitious vision and objectives. Who are the Investors of Bank AI? Similar to the project's creator, specific information regarding the investors or supporting organisations of Bank AI has not been disclosed. Without this information, it is challenging to outline the financial backing and institutional support that might be propelling the project forward. Nevertheless, the importance of having a robust investment foundation is pivotal for sustaining development in such an innovative field. How Does Bank AI Work? Bank AI operates on several innovative fronts, focusing on unique factors that differentiate it from traditional banking frameworks. Below are key operational features: Automation: By applying machine learning algorithms, Bank AI automates various manual processes within banks. This results in reduced operational costs and allows human workers to redirect their efforts towards more strategic activities. Advanced Risk Management: The integration of AI into risk management practices equips banks with tools to accurately predict potential threats such as fraud, ensuring that customer information and assets remain secure. Tailored Financial Recommendations: Through continuous learning from customer interactions, the AI systems develop a nuanced understanding of user needs, enabling them to offer tailored advice on financial decisions. Enhanced Customer Interactions: Utilizing chatbots and virtual assistants powered by AI, Bank AI enables a more engaging customer experience, allowing users to have their queries resolved quickly, thus reducing wait times and improving satisfaction levels. Together, these operational features position Bank AI as a pioneer in the banking sector, establishing new benchmarks for service delivery and operational excellence. Timeline of Bank AI Understanding the trajectory of Bank AI requires a look at its historical context. Below is a timeline highlighting important milestones and developments: Early 2010s: The conceptualisation of AI integration into banking services began to gain attention as banking institutions recognised the potential benefits. 2018: A marked increase in the implementation of AI technologies occurred when banks started using AI tools like chatbots for basic customer service and risk management systems for improved security handling. 2023: The sophistication of AI continued to advance, with generative AI being introduced for more complex tasks such as document processing and real-time investment analysis. This year marked a significant leap in the capabilities afforded to banks by AI technology. 2024-Current Status: As of this year, Bank AI is on an upward trajectory, with ongoing research and developments poised to further enhance capabilities in banking operations. Continued exploration of AI applications hints at exciting developments yet to come. Key Points About Bank AI Integration of AI in Banking: Bank AI focuses on adopting artificial intelligence to streamline banking processes and improve user experiences. Automation and Risk Management Focus: The project strongly emphasises these areas, aiming to shift the burden of routine tasks while enhancing security frameworks through predictive analytics. Personalised Banking Solutions: By harnessing customer data, Bank AI enables tailored banking services that cater to individual user needs. Commitment to Development: Bank AI remains committed to ongoing research and development efforts, ensuring its adaptability and ongoing relevance as technology continues to evolve. Conclusion In summary, Bank AI exemplifies a crucial step forward in the banking industry, leveraging artificial intelligence to reshape operational paradigms, enhance security, and promote customer satisfaction. Despite gaps in information surrounding the creator and investors, the clear objectives and functional mechanisms of Bank AI provide a strong foundation for its ongoing evolution. As AI technology continues to advance and merge with the banking sector, Bank AI is well-positioned to significantly impact the future of financial services, enhancing the way we understand and interact with banking.

224 Total ViewsPublished 2024.04.06Updated 2024.12.03

What is $BANK

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BANK (BANK) are presented below.

活动图片