Banco Inter, Chainlink Power Real-Time CBDC Trade Settlement Between Brazil and Hong Kong

Why It Matters

The successful real‑time CBDC settlement demonstrates a scalable model for cross‑border trade finance, potentially reshaping global payments by reducing friction, risk and costs. It signals accelerating institutional adoption of digital currencies and interoperable blockchain infrastructure.

Summary

Banco Inter and Chainlink completed a Phase 2 pilot of Brazil’s Drex digital‑currency initiative, linking the Central Bank of Brazil’s Drex network with Hong Kong’s Ensemble platform to settle a cross‑border trade transaction in real time using CBD‑backed digital reais and smart contracts. The test employed delivery‑versus‑payment and payment‑versus‑payment mechanisms, as well as conditional and installment‑based payments, with support from Standard Chartered, the Global Shipping Business Network and 7COMm. By automating fund and asset‑record transfers across jurisdictions, the pilot aims to cut settlement risk and lower costs for banks and exporters, especially smaller firms. The partners plan to broaden testing to additional trade models and onboard more financial institutions.