Founded in the United States in 2021, the document workflow automation platform Secro has rapidly emerged as a leader in the digitalization of inventory and trade finance since establishing its presence in Switzerland in July 2025. Its innovative technology has been employed across more than 48 countries, facilitating the digitization of $3.5 billion in shipments. Among its clients are six of the top ten largest commodity traders, along with over 300 importers, exporters, and logistics service providers. The expansion of the SECRO network has gained momentum with the adoption by top-tier banks in Europe.
A significant development occurred in October 2025 when Crédit Agricole CIB began using SECRO’s blockchain technology to digitalize its transactional commodity operations. This partnership achieved early success with the bank’s first digital commercial operation in the energy sector, involving a major global trader. The process involved the issuance of a digital document of title by the vessel master at sea, which was then transferred within seconds to the shipper and stored securely in Crédit Agricole CIB’s SECRO digital vault. This allowed the bank to maintain secure control over the original document throughout the voyage, digitally endorsing it to the final consignee upon settlement. This inaugural transaction has set the stage for a steady stream of future shipments, demonstrating the operational feasibility of digital negotiable instruments within the sophisticated Swiss commodity trading industry.
The platform further solidified its credibility in early 2026 when ING, a major player in commodity finance, adopted SECRO following Crédit Agricole CIB’s lead. Known for its commitment to digitization, ING is exploring the application of Secro’s technology for inventory financing within its Swiss branch. This venture, once realized, would position ING as the first bank globally to tokenize documents of title across the complete commodity finance value chain. With ING’s digital trading operations set to launch with several initial customers, and additional banks in the process of onboarding, the network effect is gaining momentum.
By integrating multiple systemic financial institutions, SECRO has addressed the primary challenge of digital trade by ensuring end-to-end connectivity and interoperability among all stakeholders in the value chain, from exporters to logistics providers, traders, and banks. According to Vincent Gancel, Deputy Global Head of Global Trade & Commodities at Crédit Agricole CIB, the initiative aligns with the bank’s ambition to be at the forefront of trade finance innovation, demonstrating the effectiveness and security of digital negotiable instruments in real commodity flows. Jean-Marc Thijs, COO of ING Wholesale Banking in Switzerland, emphasized the importance of digitalization in adapting to the rapidly evolving trade and commodity finance landscape.
SECRO’s decision to base its European headquarters in Switzerland, starting in July 2025, was strategic due to the country’s robust legal framework for digital ledger-based securities provided by its Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Act. Its technology infrastructure, located in Zurich, offers exceptional data protection and complies with various global digital trade frameworks. SECRO’s solution is renowned for reducing transactional risks, enhancing legal robustness, and increasing operational efficiency, making it a universal reference for trade digitalization. The platform is recognized by major marine insurance carriers and is listed as a reliable platform by the International Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating its industry-standard status.