Thunes Taps Fintech Vets to Lead AI Push and Global Expansion

SINGAPORE – March 11, 2026 – Global payments network Thunes has announced two high-profile additions to its executive team, signaling an aggressive push to accelerate its technological innovation and international growth. Guy Duncan, formerly of fintech unicorn Tide, joins as Chief Technology and Product Officer (CTPO), while Parvinder Bhatia, from Europe's first AI-powered bank bunq, takes the helm as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The appointments are a clear strategic maneuver for the Singapore-based company, which operates a “Smart Superhighway” for cross-border payments. By bringing in seasoned leaders with proven track records in scaling high-growth fintechs, Thunes is fortifying its leadership ranks to capitalize on its recent momentum and solidify its position in the competitive global payments landscape.

A Strategic Power Play for Global Dominance

Thunes has steadily built a formidable B2B payments infrastructure, connecting over 140 countries and enabling real-time transactions across a network that includes 4 billion bank accounts and 3 billion mobile wallets. These new hires are not just about filling seats; they represent a deliberate strategy to pair technological prowess with financial discipline.

The move comes at a time of significant strength for the company. In April 2025, Thunes closed a $150 million Series D funding round, bringing its total capital raised to over $350 million and demonstrating robust investor confidence. Critically, the company has achieved this growth while maintaining positive EBITDA, a metric that has become increasingly important to investors in the current market.

Peter De Caluwe, Co-Founder and CEO of Thunes, framed the appointments as essential for the company's next chapter. "As we accelerate Thunes' growth, I am delighted to welcome Guy and Parvinder to our leadership team," he stated in the official announcement. "Guy's expertise in AI and high-scale engineering will be pivotal in honing our competitive edge, while Parvinder's storied track record in financial transformation and international expansion makes him the ideal partner to underpin our commercial strategy."

This dual focus on technology and finance is designed to build on Thunes' existing partnerships with industry giants like Visa, Ripple, and PayPal, as it expands its footprint, particularly in the United States where it is pursuing licenses across all 50 states.

The AI Frontier: Redefining Money Movement

The appointment of Guy Duncan as CTPO places a significant emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence in the future of money movement. Duncan brings a wealth of experience in leveraging technology for rapid scaling, most notably having overseen the growth of Tide's platform from 50,000 to over one million members and spearheading BMW’s digital transformation across 64 markets.

His mandate at Thunes is explicit: deploy AI across the company’s Direct Global Network to solve “real-world friction” in global payments. This goes beyond theoretical applications, focusing on what Duncan calls “production-ready AI and scalable architecture.”

Thunes already utilizes AI within its proprietary Smart Treasury Management Platform, but Duncan's leadership is expected to dramatically deepen and accelerate this integration. The goal is to enhance the speed, security, and efficiency of transactions in a cross-border market valued at over $60 trillion.

"Thunes is at a fascinating juncture where technology and innovation acts as the ultimate strategic enabler," Duncan commented. "I am thrilled to join a team that shares my 'Think Big' philosophy and entrepreneurial mindset. My focus will be on ensuring our solutions solve customer friction both for now and for the future."

This commitment to AI is a key differentiator in a crowded field that includes competitors like Airwallex and Wise. By embedding advanced AI into its core infrastructure, Thunes aims to create a more intelligent, predictive, and seamless payment experience for its B2B clients worldwide.

Scaling Smart with Financial Discipline

Complementing the technological push is the strategic appointment of Parvinder Bhatia as CFO. With over 24 years of experience, Bhatia’s background is perfectly aligned with Thunes’ current trajectory. His recent role as CFO at bunq, an AI-powered bank, provided him with firsthand experience in managing the financial strategy of a technology-first financial institution during a period of rapid international expansion.

At Thunes, Bhatia will be responsible for steering the company’s global finance organization through its next phase of hyper-growth. This includes managing the capital from its recent funding round, overseeing the financial complexities of its US expansion, and ensuring the company maintains its disciplined approach to growth and profitability.

His role is critical in translating technological innovation into sustainable financial success. As Thunes scales its payments infrastructure, Bhatia's expertise in operational transformation and managing the finances of venture-backed businesses will be invaluable.

"Thunes has built a remarkable foundation for global cross-border payments and I am joining at a time of significant momentum," Bhatia stated. "I look forward to working with the Board and the executive team to navigate our next phase of international growth, ensuring our financial strategy remains as innovative and robust as our technology."

A Barometer for the Fintech Talent Market

These executive movements at Thunes are reflective of a broader trend across the fintech industry. As the sector matures, there is a heightened demand for leaders who possess not just vision, but a proven ability to execute and scale complex global operations. The emphasis is on experience, particularly in the specialized domains of AI-driven product development and international financial management.

The fact that Thunes successfully recruited top talent from other well-regarded fintechs like Tide and bunq highlights the intense competition for executive-level expertise. It also underscores a flight to quality, where seasoned professionals are drawn to companies with strong market positions, clear strategies, and solid financial backing.

With these strategic appointments, Thunes is sending a clear message to the market. The company is not merely participating in the evolution of global finance; it is actively assembling the leadership and resources required to direct its course. The combined expertise of Duncan and Bhatia positions Thunes to fully leverage its technological infrastructure and financial strength, setting the stage for its next chapter of ambitious growth and innovation in the global payments ecosystem.