Thunes, the Singapore-based payments infrastructure company known for its Smart Superhighway that connects mobile wallets, banks, and cards globally, has deepened its collaboration with Ripple, the U.S. blockchain firm providing digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions. Building on a partnership established in 2020, the two companies are rolling out expanded services designed to make international money movement faster, more secure, and more accessible across key markets.
The initiative comes at a time when cross-border payments face rising demand from businesses and individuals alike. Traditional banking rails often remain fragmented, slow, and costly, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure. By combining Thunes’ Direct Global Network with Ripple’s blockchain-powered payments solutions, the collaboration is positioned to streamline payouts in more than 90 markets and support withdrawals in additional currencies worldwide.
Thunes has spent recent years integrating blockchain and digital asset technologies into its network, which already enables real-time transactions in over 80 currencies and connects to billions of accounts globally. Ripple, whose payments platform processed more than $70 billion in volume to date, brings enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure designed to deliver transparency, speed, and compliance to banks, fintechs, and crypto companies.
“Members across both the traditional finance space and the digital assets ecosystem connect with Thunes. We are in a prime position to bridge these two worlds and drive the future of digital assets, and our alliance with Ripple underscores this,” said Chloe Mayenobe, President and Chief Operating Officer of Thunes. “By supporting real-time settlement, and deep local integrations, we are enabling digital asset companies to deliver seamless, compliant, and accessible cross-border payments at scale.”
A central benefit of the expanded agreement is Ripple’s integration into Thunes’ SmartX Treasury System, which manages liquidity and settlement flows across its global network. The addition enables enhanced real-time payouts in local currencies, a critical service in emerging markets where banking penetration remains low but mobile wallet usage is widespread.
“Our partnership with Thunes accelerates our shared mission to improve the efficiency, speed, and security of global payments,” said Fiona Murray, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Ripple. “By combining Thunes’ extensive and trusted Direct Global Network with Ripple’s digital asset infrastructure, we are enhancing payment speed, accessibility, and compliance across regions. This partnership not only facilitates seamless, low-cost transactions but also supports the growing demand for innovative, blockchain-powered financial solutions globally.”
Thunes’ network plays a crucial role in connecting digital platforms to financial services in developing economies, where last-mile delivery remains one of the biggest hurdles. Its links to mobile money providers such as M-Pesa, GCash, and WeChat Pay allow businesses to disburse funds instantly in markets where conventional banking channels are limited. Ripple’s blockchain rails will now extend this reach further by providing its enterprise clients access to new payout corridors and compliance-ready digital asset solutions.
Mr. Phan Duc Trung, Chairman of both the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Assets Association and 1Matrix, emphasized the broader implications of these collaborations, noting that bridging traditional finance with blockchain technology “boosts international integration and fosters a transparent, sustainable digital financial ecosystem.”
Ripple has sought to differentiate itself in the crowded blockchain sector through its emphasis on compliance and transparency. The company has pioneered regular proof-of-reserves reporting, real-time order book transparency, and independent audits to combat the perception of inflated volumes in crypto markets. KuCoin’s engagement with regulators and participation in policy development initiatives highlights the growing convergence between blockchain innovators and traditional financial systems — a trend Thunes is also driving by embedding blockchain into its global payout services.
The expanded Thunes-Ripple alliance reflects a broader industry trend toward hybrid solutions that merge blockchain efficiency with the regulatory standards of traditional finance. For businesses, the result is lower-cost, faster transactions and broader market access. For consumers, it promises more reliable access to funds across borders, particularly in regions where banking access has historically been limited.
By uniting Ripple’s blockchain technology with Thunes’ vast payout network, the partnership aims to set a new standard in global payments — bringing together compliance, speed, and accessibility at a scale previously out of reach. As cross-border transaction volumes continue to grow, both companies are betting that the future of money movement will rest on such integrated digital asset infrastructure.
