In what it claims is a UK bank first, Santander has begun piloting an app that uses blockchain technology from Ripple for international payments.
The app, currently being tested by bank staffers, connects to Apple Pay, where users can confirm payments of between £10 and £10,000 securely using Touch ID. Funds appear in the recipient's account the next working day.
Payments can be made from sterling to euros and dollars. Currently, payments made in euros can be sent to 21 countries and dollar payments to the USA only.
Last year Santander's fintech fund pumped $4 million into Ripple, the digital currency network bidding to rewire the international money transfer business through the fast and frictionless exchange of its digital currency tokens in exchange for fiat currency.
Sigga Sigurdardottir, head, customer and innovation, Santander, says: "The need for finance has evolved from providing a physical Pound in your pocket or card in your purse, where you pay at a till, to being seamlessly integrated into a new, always on, connected lifestyle.
"At Santander we work hard to ensure our banking is simple, personal and fair and believe new Blockchain technology will play a transformational role in the way we achieve our goals and better serve our customers, adding value by creating more choice and convenience."