Thunes Cements Global Payments Leadership for Eighth Straight Year

SINGAPORE – May 29, 2026 – For the eighth consecutive year, global payments firm Thunes has been named to FXC Intelligence's prestigious Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies list, a definitive ranking that solidifies its position as an enduring leader in a fiercely competitive industry. The recognition, which comes from an analysis of over 15,000 companies, highlights Thunes' sustained influence and strategic execution in simplifying the complexities of global money movement.

While the fintech landscape has seen dramatic shifts, with new challengers and technologies constantly emerging, Thunes has maintained its top-tier status by building what it calls a 'Smart Superhighway' for payments. This isn't just a marketing slogan; it's a reference to a sprawling, proprietary network that directly connects disparate financial systems across the globe, a feat that has proven to be its most significant competitive advantage.

The Unrivaled Power of a Direct Network

In the world of cross-border payments, where transactions can be slowed by a chain of intermediary banks and processors, a direct connection is the gold standard. Thunes' consistent recognition is a direct result of its long-term investment in building such a network. Today, the Thunes Direct Global Network boasts connections to over 720 members, spanning 140 countries and 90 currencies. The sheer scale is staggering, providing reach to an estimated 12 billion bank accounts, mobile wallets, and stablecoin wallets, plus 15 billion cards and 220 local payment methods.

This extensive reach is what sets it apart from a crowded field of competitors that includes formidable players like Nium, Rapyd, and Airwallex. While many fintechs offer innovative solutions, few can match the breadth and depth of Thunes' infrastructure, particularly in regions often underserved by traditional finance.

Daniel Webber, CEO and Founder at FXC Intelligence, affirmed this strategic value. "Thunes has built one of the most extensive and strategically important cross-border payment networks in the world," he stated. Webber noted the company's ability to connect a "vast range of payment endpoints" and enable reliable money movement in markets that are "often difficult to serve." He added that this scale is why Thunes' inclusion in the 2026 list "reflects the scale and strategic value of the network it has built."

This network allows global businesses, from gig-economy giants like Uber and Deliveroo to money transfer operators like Remitly and MoneyGram, to make payouts through a single API integration, drastically simplifying what would otherwise be a logistical and compliance nightmare.

From Swift to Stablecoins: A Hybrid Future for Finance

Thunes' strategy is not just about scale; it's about smart integration. The company has adopted a pragmatic, hybrid approach that bridges the worlds of traditional and decentralized finance. On one hand, it deepens its ties with the established financial system, exemplified by its direct integration with Swift. This move allows businesses to settle payments directly to bank accounts connected to the legacy network, enhancing interoperability.

On the other hand, Thunes is aggressively embracing the future of finance by incorporating digital assets. The company has become a key player in the use of stablecoins for cross-border settlement. By leveraging dollar-pegged stablecoins, Thunes can offer near-instant settlement, slashing transaction times from days to minutes and cutting costs by as much as 80% compared to traditional wire transfers. This is particularly transformative for businesses operating in emerging markets, freeing up millions in working capital that would otherwise be tied up in transit.

This forward-looking approach is powered by sophisticated technology. The company's SmartX Treasury System utilizes AI for real-time liquidity management, while its Fortress Compliance Platform, supported by 50 payment licenses worldwide, automates complex AML and regulatory checks, ensuring secure and compliant transactions across its vast network.

Chloe Mayenobe, Deputy CEO at Thunes, commented on this focus. "Being recognised by FXC Intelligence for eight consecutive years is a fantastic testament to our team's relentless focus on innovation and execution," she said. "By growing our Direct Global Network and uniting financial ecosystems that were never designed to speak to one another, we ensure our Members can operate without boundaries."

Connecting the Unconnected in Hard-to-Reach Markets

Perhaps the most significant impact of Thunes' network is its role in fostering financial inclusion and economic activity in what the company calls 'hard-to-reach pockets of the world.' In many parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, mobile wallets have leapfrogged traditional bank accounts as the primary financial tool for millions of people. Traditional cross-border payment systems often struggle to connect with these fragmented, mobile-first ecosystems.

Thunes has made connecting these endpoints a core part of its mission. By establishing direct integrations with local mobile money providers, such as GCash in the Philippines, it enables seamless payouts to regions where card and bank penetration remains low. This capability is vital for global businesses looking to pay workers, partners, and suppliers in these markets.

Case studies illustrate this impact clearly. Paydek, a UK-based money transfer company, partnered with Thunes to expand its services into emerging economies across Latin America and Africa, facilitating local currency payouts and allowing its clients to operate in markets they previously couldn't reach efficiently. This focus on local payment methods is a key differentiator, empowering businesses to transact globally while settling locally.

This sustained effort has not gone unnoticed. "This recognition from FXC Intelligence reinforces our position as a leading global force in payment infrastructure," added Mathieu Limousi, Chief Marketing Officer of Thunes. "Since the inception of this list, the fintech landscape has evolved dramatically, but Thunes has consistently anticipated market shifts, expanding our proprietary Network to deliver real-time, cross-border payments that empower businesses, banks and neobanks, gig-economy platforms, money transfer operators and digital wallets globally."

As global B2B cross-border payment flows are projected to grow from over $31 trillion in 2024 to $50 trillion by 2032, the need for robust, efficient, and inclusive payment infrastructure has never been greater. With its eighth consecutive year as a top-ranked player, Thunes has proven that its strategy of building a vast, direct, and technologically advanced network is not just keeping pace with the market—it is actively shaping its future.