Thunes has been named one of the top 100 cross-border payment companies for 2026 by financial data firm FXC Intelligence, the eighth year in a row it has made the list.
FXC Intelligence’s annual assessment reviews more than 15,000 payment providers worldwide and ranks them on scale, innovation and network reach.
Network spans 140 countries and 90 currencies
Thunes operates a Direct Global Network that links more than 720 members across 140 countries and supports 90 currencies.
Through this infrastructure, the company connects to:
- 12 billion bank accounts, mobile and stablecoin wallets
- 15 billion cards
- 220 local payment methods
Webber, head of FXC Intelligence, described Thunes’ network as one of the broadest frameworks for reliable cross-border transactions.
Blending traditional rails with digital assets
According to FXC Intelligence, Thunes’ model combines traditional banking infrastructure with newer technologies, including stablecoin liquidity and connectivity with the Swift network.
Integration with Swift allows the 11,500 institutions on that system to reach modern payment endpoints, including more than 500 million stablecoin wallets, without building new integrations. This creates a two-way channel between established banks and the digital asset economy.
Role in financial inclusion and compliance
Deputy chief executive Mayenobe said the network’s expansion is helping to support financial inclusion in hard-to-reach markets.
Thunes’ SmartX Treasury System uses artificial intelligence to manage real-time liquidity via stablecoin prefunding. Its Fortress Compliance Platform operates under 50 payment licences globally, underpinning regulatory and risk management requirements.
Positioning in a fast-growing global market
Chief marketing officer Limousi said continued inclusion on the FXC list underlines the company’s sustained role in the evolving fintech landscape.
Thunes’ platform serves businesses, banks, gig-economy platforms, money transfer companies and digital wallet providers that require faster cross-border settlement.
The recognition comes as the global payments market is projected to reach $238.14 billion in 2026. Digital cross-border payments are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of more than 15% through 2030, highlighting the commercial relevance of models that combine legacy and digital payment rails.
Stablecoins move into infrastructure role
Thunes’ recent move to join the Circle Payments Network allows customers to use USDC for settlement while keeping their existing fiat-based operations. For participants active in digital assets, this offers a transactional use case for USDC that is distinct from speculative trading.
The broader stablecoin market has recently exceeded $323 billion in total capitalization, with daily transaction volumes averaging $3.54 trillion. That throughput now surpasses payment giants such as Visa, reinforcing the role of stablecoins as infrastructure-level assets rather than just entry points into crypto markets.
Around 83% of stablecoin market value is concentrated in just two tokens, USDT and USDC. Payment infrastructure firms formally integrating assets like USDC indicate that these are likely to anchor many future payment systems.
Ai-driven treasury and liquidity strategy
Thunes’ treasury model uses AI and a “convert-on-payout” approach. Funds are held centrally in a digital dollar format such as USDC, with foreign exchange executed only at the moment of payout.
This structure:
- cuts the need to maintain numerous pre-funded accounts in different currencies
- lowers exposure to currency volatility
- frees up capital that would otherwise sit idle across markets
The same approach can be applied by entities managing digital currency portfolios, using dollar-pegged assets to hedge against volatility while preparing for international obligations and improving liquidity management.
Asia-pacific expansion underscores regional focus
Thunes has also expanded its real-time payment capabilities into New Zealand, reinforcing its push in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia-Pacific is forecast to be the fastest-growing cross-border payments market, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.16%, driven by rising e-commerce volumes and strong remittance flows.
For traders and market participants, Thunes’ repeated recognition and strategic moves in stablecoins and real-time payments highlight where infrastructure and growth are converging in the global payments sector.
Want deeper insights into stablecoins and payments in Asia? Explore why stablecoins are so important in Asia today.
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