Secro, a US-founded document workflow automation platform, made notable advancements in digitalizing inventory and trade finance since its establishment in Switzerland in July 2025. Its technology has facilitated the digitization of $3.5 billion worth of shipments across 48 countries, gaining traction among major players. Among these are six of the top 10 largest commodity traders and over 300 importers, exporters, and logistics service providers. The platform’s expansion in the digital trade sphere is further strengthened by its adoption by tier-1 European banks.
A significant development occurred in October 2025 when Crédit Agricole CIB began utilizing Secro’s blockchain technology to digitalize its commodity operations. This collaboration resulted in the bank’s first digital commercial operation in the energy sector, involving a global trader and financed by the bank. During this process, a digital document of title was issued by the vessel master while at sea and quickly transferred to the shipper, with Crédit Agricole CIB securing it in a digital vault. This allowed the bank to maintain control over the document throughout the voyage, endorsing it digitally to the consignee and transferring it upon settlement. This successful transaction marked a shift towards widespread adoption of digital negotiable instruments in the sophisticated Swiss commodity trading industry.
The platform’s credibility was further bolstered when ING joined the ecosystem in early 2026, following Crédit Agricole CIB’s lead. As a prominent entity in commodity finance, ING is exploring the potential of Secro’s technology for inventory financing. This step could enable ING to tokenize documents of title across the entire commodity finance value chain, positioning it as a pioneer in the field. With multiple launch customers and banks on board, the network effect of Secro’s platform is gaining momentum, overcoming the primary challenge of digital trade by ensuring end-to-end connectivity and interoperability among stakeholders.
Secro’s decision to establish its European headquarters in Switzerland was strategic, taking advantage of the country’s robust legal framework under the Distributed Ledger Technology Act. This act provides digital ledger-based securities the same legal status as traditional documents. With infrastructure in Zurich, Secro offers exceptional data protection and compliance with various international digital trade frameworks. Its solution reduces transactional risk, enhances legal robustness, and increases operational speed, allowing for instant title verification and faster financing by banks.
Secro has set a new industry standard with its patented tokenization technology, ensuring compliance with advanced digital trade laws. Recognized by marine insurance carriers and the International Chamber of Commerce, Secro holds SOC2-type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications. The platform’s achievements highlight its role as a reference point in trade digitalization, driving efficiency, transparency, and resilience in the industry.