Ripple's Strategic Expansion with Thunes: A Catalyst for Blockchain-Driven Global Payments

In the ever-evolving landscape of global finance, the collaboration between Ripple and Thunes has emerged as a transformative force, redefining cross-border payment infrastructure. As of September 2025, their expanded partnership is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic recalibration of how institutions, fintechs, and crypto companies navigate the complexities of international money movement. By integrating Ripple’s blockchain-powered solutions into Thunes’ Direct Global Network, the duo is addressing long-standing inefficiencies in traditional systems—high fees, slow settlement times, and limited transparency—while unlocking new markets for liquidity and compliance [1].

The Infrastructure Revolution: Speed, Scale, and Security

Ripple and Thunes’ collaboration has created a hybrid model that combines blockchain’s inherent advantages with Thunes’ “Smart Superhighway” for international transfers. This integration enables real-time payouts in local currencies across 130 countries and 80 currencies, bypassing intermediaries and reducing operational costs by up to 70% [2]. For instance, in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where mobile money dominates, Thunes’ partnerships with platforms like M-Pesa and Airtel ensure seamless “last-mile” delivery of payments, even in areas with underdeveloped banking infrastructure [3].

The partnership’s focus on security is equally critical. Ripple’s enterprise-grade infrastructure, now covering 90 payout markets and processing over $70 billion in volume, employs advanced compliance tools to meet regulatory demands. This is particularly vital in emerging markets, where anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements often stifle innovation [4]. By embedding these safeguards into their systems, Ripple and Thunes are not only streamlining operations but also building trust with institutional clients.

XRP’s Indirect Utility: Liquidity, Cost Efficiency, and Enterprise Adoption

While XRP is not directly used in every transaction, its role as a liquidity bridge in Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) product is pivotal. ODL allows banks and payment providers to transfer funds across borders instantly, leveraging XRP’s low cost (0.15% per transfer) and near-instant settlement times [5]. This is a stark contrast to traditional SWIFT transfers, which can take days and incur fees exceeding 5%. For example, in Q2 2025 alone, ODL processed $1.3 trillion in transactions, a testament to its growing institutional adoption [6].

The post-SEC lawsuit resolution has further bolstered XRP’s credibility. With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reclassifying XRP as a commodity in secondary markets, institutional confidence has surged. This regulatory clarity has spurred $1.1 billion in institutional purchases and over 11 ETF applications, signaling a shift toward mainstream adoption [7]. Additionally, Ripple’s integration of XRP with stablecoins like RLUSD and USDC, alongside its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain, has expanded its utility beyond cross-border payments. Financial institutions now use XRP as a collateral asset for lending platforms, such as Ault Capital Group’s upcoming enterprise XRP lending service, which will allocate $10 million in XRP for liquidity support [8].

Strategic Implications for the Future of Global Payments

The ripple (pun intended) effects of this partnership extend beyond efficiency gains. By targeting emerging markets—where 65% of diaspora consumers prioritize speed in cross-border transfers—Ripple and Thunes are democratizing access to financial services [9]. For instance, Thunes’ integration with mobile wallets like GCash and WeChat Pay enables users in the Philippines and China to receive remittances in minutes, bypassing the friction of traditional banking systems. This not only enhances user experience but also positions Ripple and Thunes as key players in the $750 billion remittance market [10].

However, challenges persist. Competitors like Ethereum and Solana are aggressively pursuing similar use cases, leveraging smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Yet, Ripple’s focus on institutional-grade solutions, coupled with Thunes’ extensive network of local payment rails, provides a unique edge. As stated by a report from Bitget, “Ripple’s strategic alignment with enterprise clients and its emphasis on regulatory compliance create a moat that is difficult to replicate” [11].

Conclusion: A New Era for Blockchain-Driven Finance

Ripple’s partnership with Thunes is more than a technical collaboration—it is a paradigm shift in how cross-border payments are conceptualized and executed. By leveraging blockchain’s strengths in speed, transparency, and cost efficiency, the duo is addressing the pain points of traditional systems while fostering financial inclusion. For investors, XRP’s indirect utility in enterprise adoption—whether through ODL, stablecoin integration, or lending platforms—signals a maturing asset class that bridges the gap between legacy finance and the digital economy. As the global payment infrastructure continues to evolve, Ripple and Thunes are not just participants in this transformation; they are its architects.

Source:
[1] Thunes and Ripple Expand Global Partnership to Transform Cross-Border Payments [https://www.thunes.com/news/thunes-and-ripple-expand-global-partnership-to-transform-cross-border-payments/]
[2] Ripple, Thunes Join Forces on Cross-Border Push [https://www.pymnts.com/partnerships/2025/thunes-and-ripple-team-to-bolster-cross-border-payments/]
[3] Managing Cross-Border Payments in Emerging Markets [https://www.thunes.com/insights/learn/cross-border-payments-in-emerging-markets/]
[4] Ripple–Thunes Deal Targets Faster Payments Across 7 [https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1091309-20250903]
[5] XRP as a Strategic Bridge in the Next-Generation Cross-Border Payment Ecosystem [https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604942982]
[6] XRP's Institutional Traction: ETF Filings, Whale Accumulation and the Path to Mainstream Adoption [https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-institutional-takeoff-etf-filings-whale-accumulation-path-mainstream-adoption-2509/]
[7] XRP's Institutional Push: A New Era for Blockchain Payments [https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-xrp-institutional-push-era-blockchain-payments-2509/]
[8] XRP Gains Institutional Traction With Lending Surge and Coinbase Futures Debut [https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/xrp-news-today-xrp-gains-institutional-traction-with-lending-surge-and-coinbase-futures-debut]
[9] Discover Growth Drivers for Consumer Cross-Border [https://www.thunes.com/news/top-growth-drivers-in-consumer-cross-border-payments/]
[10] XRP: Disrupting Cross-Border Payments and Shaping the Future of Remittances [https://www.almondfintech.com/news/xrp-disrupting-cross-border-payments-and-shaping-the-future-of-remittances]
[11] XRP as a Strategic Bridge in the Next-Generation Cross-Border Payment Ecosystem [https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604942982]