Trade digitalisation: Which way to Scale?

This publication examines why trade digitalisation, despite strong legal progress and proven technology, continues to scale slowly across global markets. Drawing on a closed‑door roundtable convened by TTP and the ICC Digital Standards Initiative, it explores the gap between technical readiness and real‑world adoption, highlighting the institutional, operational, and structural barriers that persist across banks, corporates, platforms, and policymakers.

It also assesses emerging pathways to scale, from government‑mandated adoption to ERP‑embedded standards and agentic AI. Through case studies, industry observations, and practical examples, the publication offers a clear, evidence‑based view of what is working, what is not, and where the industry must focus to unlock meaningful progress.