Thunes Expands Real-Time Network and Showcases Cross-Border Strategy at Money20/20 Asia

Thunes, a cross-border payments specialist, used the week to underline both its network expansion and its positioning in next-generation payments infrastructure. The company also spotlighted internal culture initiatives, with a focus on mentorship and women in fintech as part of its talent strategy.

At the Money20/20 Asia conference in Bangkok, Thunes deployed a large senior team, hosted a booth, and ran networking events to deepen ties with banks, fintechs, and ecosystem partners. Executives spoke on topics including cross-currency payments, digital treasury, real-time FX, digital assets, stablecoins, and financial inclusion.

These appearances framed Thunes as an active voice in discussions on interoperability, real-time payment rails, and tokenised money, especially in Asia and Latin America. While no specific deals or financial metrics were disclosed, the emphasis on ecosystem engagement suggests a concerted business development push in high-growth regions.

In parallel, Thunes announced an expansion of its Direct Global Network to support real-time pay-to-bank services into New Zealand, enabling NZD transfers to local bank accounts for consumers and businesses. The service can be accessed via a single integration or existing Swift connectivity, aiming to simplify adoption for financial institutions and partners.

The New Zealand corridor strengthens Thunes’ coverage in the Asia-Pacific region and aligns with rising demand for instant cross-border payments. If uptake is strong, the move could support higher transaction volumes, reinforce network effects, and enhance the firm’s competitive stance against other global payment providers.

On the talent side, Thunes highlighted Marketing Manager Stefany Moccetti in its “Life at Thunes” series, underscoring mentorship as central to professional growth and value creation. The feature, part of a women-in-fintech focus, promotes internal stories and links prominently to open roles across the company.

This employer-branding effort signals ongoing hiring and an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and leadership development, including executive participation in the Rise Up cohort. Stronger mentorship and culture initiatives may help Thunes attract and retain skilled professionals, supporting execution capabilities in marketing and other growth functions.

Taken together, the week’s developments indicate that Thunes is simultaneously expanding its real-time payments network, intensifying its presence in key fintech forums, and investing in people and brand, leaving the company well-positioned to pursue future growth opportunities in cross-border payments.