Thunes and Ripple Unveil Borderless Payment Blueprint with Blockchain Boost

Thunes, a global payments platform, and Ripple, a leader in digital asset infrastructure, have announced an expanded partnership to enhance cross-border payments globally. The collaboration builds on their initial agreement from 2020 and aims to improve customer payout experiences, streamline international money transfers, and extend reach into key markets. The partnership integrates blockchain and digital asset technologies to enhance Thunes' Direct Global Network, enabling more efficient and accessible financial services for businesses and institutions worldwide. This expansion is intended to meet the growing demand for digital financial solutions and provide greater flexibility for Ripple's enterprise customers to make withdrawals in new currencies and countries.

Thunes' Direct Global Network is already used in over 130 countries and supports real-time payouts in local currencies, helping to address challenges in regions with limited banking infrastructure. The integration of Ripple's blockchain-powered solutions enhances the network’s efficiency and scalability, supporting the “last-mile” delivery of payments. Thunes is also utilizing Ripple Payments to improve its in-house SmartX Treasury System, a core component of its infrastructure. According to Ripple, its payment solutions offer near-global coverage with 90+ payout markets, representing over 90% of the daily foreign exchange markets. To date, the system has processed more than $70 billion in transaction volume.

The partnership is expected to benefit a range of entities, including banks, fintechs, and crypto companies, by offering fast, transparent, and compliant cross-border payment options. Thunes’ President and COO, Chloe Mayenobe, emphasized the company’s unique position in bridging traditional finance and the digital assets ecosystem. She noted that the integration of real-time settlement and local integrations enables digital asset companies to deliver scalable, accessible, and compliant cross-border payments. Fiona Murray, Managing Director of Ripple for the Asia-Pacific region, highlighted the broader implications of the partnership, stating it supports the growing demand for blockchain-powered financial innovations and facilitates seamless, low-cost transactions across regions.

By combining Ripple’s digital asset infrastructure with Thunes' extensive global network, the two companies aim to accelerate the future of global payments. Ripple Payments, which enables on/off ramps for institutions worldwide, is a key component of this collaboration. The integration supports real-time, low-cost transactions while enhancing visibility and compliance, which are critical for financial institutions operating across multiple jurisdictions. The expansion also underscores the importance of leveraging blockchain technologies to address inefficiencies in cross-border payments, particularly for businesses requiring fast and secure transfer options.

The partnership aligns with broader industry trends toward digitalization and the increasing adoption of blockchain-based solutions in financial services. As PYMNTS Intelligence recently noted, cross-border transactions often face higher failure rates compared to domestic ones, with common obstacles including high fees, fraud concerns, and delivery delays. By providing access to local payment methods and real-time processing, the collaboration with Thunes and Ripple aims to address these challenges and improve transaction success rates for global merchants. This strategic move positions the companies to better serve the evolving needs of the global financial ecosystem, particularly in high-growth markets where digital infrastructure is rapidly expanding.

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[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] Thunes and Ripple Team to Bolster Cross-Border Payments (https://www.pymnts.com/partnerships/2025/thunes-and-ripple-team-to-bolster-cross-border-payments/)

[3] Thunes and Ripple Expand Global Partnership to ... (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thunes-and-ripple-expand-global-partnership-to-transform-cross-border-payments-302543568.html)