Ripple’s Strategic Move with Thunes: A Game-Changer for XRP and Global Payments

In an era where traditional cross-border payment systems are plagued by inefficiencies—high fees, slow settlement times, and opaque processes—Ripple’s partnership with Thunes represents a seismic shift in the financial infrastructure landscape. By leveraging blockchain technology and XRP’s unique properties, the collaboration is redefining how value moves globally. For investors, this partnership is not just a technical upgrade but a strategic catalyst for XRP’s emergence as a disruptive bridge asset.

Strategic Partnership: Bridging the Gap Between Legacy and Innovation

Ripple and Thunes have expanded their collaboration to integrate Ripple Payments into Thunes’ Direct Global Network, which connects over 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts across 130 countries and 80 currencies [1]. This integration enables real-time, local-currency payouts, addressing critical pain points in underbanked regions. Ripple’s Payments platform now spans 90+ payout markets, processing over $70 billion in annual volume, with 90% of daily foreign exchange (FX) markets covered [2].

The partnership’s operational framework is built on two pillars: speed and compliance. By combining Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure with Thunes’ SmartX Treasury System, the collaboration streamlines the “last-mile” delivery of payments, reducing settlement times from days to seconds while maintaining regulatory compliance [3]. This is particularly transformative in emerging markets, where traditional banking infrastructure is either fragmented or nonexistent.

XRP: The Engine Behind the Disruption

At the heart of this partnership lies XRP, the native token of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Analysts like Bill Morgan argue that XRP is the de facto bridge asset in Ripple’s ecosystem, outperforming stablecoins like RLUSD in speed and efficiency [4]. The XRP Ledger’s Federated Byzantine Agreement consensus mechanism enables sub-second transaction confirmations and negligible fees, making it ideal for high-volume, real-time cross-border transactions [5].

Data from Dune Analytics underscores XRP’s utility: nearly 60% of transactions on the XRPL are classified as payments, a stark contrast to other blockchains where speculative trading dominates [6]. This usage pattern aligns with Ripple’s vision of XRP as a settlement layer for global finance. Furthermore, SWIFT’s ongoing tests to integrate XRP into its $150 trillion global payments network signal growing institutional validation [7].

Market and Regulatory Tailwinds

The partnership’s success is amplified by favorable macroeconomic and regulatory trends. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has projected that XRP could capture 14% of SWIFT’s $4 trillion daily FX volume within five years [8]. Meanwhile, the U.S. SEC and CFTC’s joint statement on digital assets in 2025 has created a more predictable regulatory environment, boosting institutional confidence in XRP [9].

Market dynamics also support XRP’s ascent. In Q1 2025, XRP’s average daily spot trading volume surged to $3.2 billion, with peaks exceeding $16 billion, driven by both institutional and retail demand [10]. While on-chain activity on the XRPL declined by 37% during the same period, this divergence reflects a shift in XRP’s usage from speculative trading to enterprise-grade settlement [11].

Addressing Challenges and Skepticism

Critics may question XRP’s role in the partnership, citing the lack of granular transaction volume metrics for Q3 2025. However, Ripple’s broader ecosystem metrics—such as the $70 billion in processed volume and the expansion to 90+ markets—indicate robust adoption [12]. Additionally, the activation of on-chain KYC/AML features in September 2025 has enhanced XRP’s appeal to compliance-focused institutions [13].

The decline in on-chain transactions does not negate XRP’s utility; rather, it highlights a maturation of the asset’s role. As Ripple’s enterprise clients scale their operations, XRP’s usage is shifting from individual transactions to large-scale, institutional settlements—a natural evolution for a bridge asset.

Conclusion: A New Era for Cross-Border Payments

Ripple’s partnership with Thunes is more than a technical collaboration—it’s a blueprint for the future of global finance. By positioning XRP as a bridge asset, Ripple is addressing the inefficiencies of traditional systems while capitalizing on blockchain’s inherent advantages. For investors, the combination of strategic expansion, regulatory clarity, and institutional adoption paints a compelling case for XRP’s long-term value.

As the world moves toward a more interconnected financial system, XRP’s role in this transition is not just speculative—it’s foundational. The question is no longer if XRP will disrupt cross-border payments, but how quickly the market will adapt to this new paradigm.

Source:
[1] Ripple–Thunes Deal Targets Faster Payments Across 7 Billion Accounts [https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1091309-20250903]
[2] Ripple partners with Thunes to expand blockchain-powered cross-border payments [https://www.mexc.com/es-ES/news/ripple-partners-with-thunes-to-expand-blockchain-powered-cross-border-payments/82715]
[3] Ripple Deepens Global Payments Alliance With Thunes [https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1094164-20250904]
[4] Bill Morgan Standardizes Response to XRP Role in Ripple Partnerships [https://coinedition.com/bill-morgan-sets-standard-response-to-xrp-role-as-ripple-expands-its-partnerships/]
[5] XRP Ledger Price, XRP to USD, Research, News [https://messari.io/project/xrp-ledger]
[6] Data shows that almost 60% of transactions on XRPL are payments [https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/e7642-xrp-use-soars-as-payments-hit-60-of-network-activity-in-2025]
[7] SWIFT Begins Testing XRP and Hedera for Global $150T Payment System [https://www.mexc.com/en-GB/news/swift-begins-testing-xrp-and-hedera-for-global-150t-payment-system/70679]
[8] Ripple (XRP) Secures Money Transmitter Licenses [https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/25690624550626]
[9] XRP Could Surge Past $3 as US Regulatory Easing Fuels Cross-Border Momentum [https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/xrp-price-prediction-xrp-could-surge-past-3-as-us-regulatory-easing-fuels-cross-border-momentum]
[10] Ripple's Q1: XRP Spot Volume Soars, XRPL Activity Declines [https://s32659.pcdn.co/ripple-q1-2025-spot-volume-surges/]
[11] Ripple and Thunes Partnership Expands: What This Means for XRP Holders [https://www.mexc.fm/en-TR/news/ripple-and-thunes-partnership-expands-what-this-means-for-xrp-holders/83501]
[12] 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/]
[13] XRP Ledger Price, XRP to USD, Research, News [https://messari.io/project/xrp-ledger]