Crypto Claims Disputed as ISO Rejects Token Compliance Status

• ISO confirms no cryptocurrency holds ISO 20022 compliance despite widespread online claims.
• Developers stress XRP and other tokens differ technically from ISO 20022 message structures.
• SWIFT begins full migration to ISO 20022-only payments as legacy MT messaging is retired.

A wave of discussion has emerged across the crypto community following renewed scrutiny of long-circulating claims that certain cryptocurrencies are “ISO 20022 compliant.” The debate resurfaced as industry commentators highlighted code references related to XRP and RippleNet. 

At the same time, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) confirmed that cryptocurrencies themselves are not granted any form of ISO certification.

ISO Clarifies No Cryptocurrency Holds Compliance Status

According to posts shared by analysts, Mansingh Rajput, ISO’s own website states that no cryptocurrency meets any form of ISO 20022 compliance. ISO pointed out that its financial-messaging standard defines how banks, payment systems, and financial institutions structure and exchange data. Because public blockchains operate as independent decentralized networks, ISO does not administer or certify compliance for assets such as XRP, XLM, ADA, or Quant.

Observers noted that confusion stemmed from project teams describing their ability to structure or interpret information in ISO 20022 format. ISO has made clear that such capabilities do not translate into formal compliance. Additionally, the organization warned that online claims labeling specific tokens as compliant are incorrect.

Related: SWIFT’s ISO 20022 Mandate Puts Compliant Blockchains Cardano, XRP, in Focus

Developers and Engineers Reinforce the Technical Distinction

Developers echoed ISO’s position by pointing to the differences between blockchain transaction formats and standardized financial messages. Arthur, an XRP community member, noted that XRPL transaction structures and ISO 20022 messages share no functional equivalence, describing them as fundamentally separate systems.

Another commentator added that while RippleNet, Ripple’s messaging infrastructure, uses ISO 20022 message types such as pacs.008, XRP operates independently as a settlement asset and does not form part of the messaging layer.

Industry participants also referenced earlier comments from Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, who described ISO 20022 support as a functional requirement for linking traditional banking rails with decentralized systems. His remarks cited ADA, XRP, HBAR, and ALGO as networks positioned to interface with that standard, though without suggesting certification.

SWIFT Completes Transition to ISO 20022-Only Payments

Meanwhile, SWIFT confirmed that its coexistence period for MT and ISO 20022 formats ends this weekend. Beginning November 22, 2025, all financial institution payment instructions will be delivered exclusively in ISO 20022.

However, the network urged participants to avoid sending messages during the cutover window to prevent rejected transactions and operational delays.

Related: ​​Ripple, Hedera, Algorand, and XDC Becomes ISO 20022-Compliant Crypto Projects