Mastercard and Singapore-headquartered payments firm Thunes are joining forces to bring stablecoin wallet payouts into the financial mainstream.
Announced at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025 today, the collaboration aims to speed up global money movement and give banks, payment providers and end-users more flexibility in how funds are transferred.
Mastercard Move will connect with Thunes’ Direct Global Network to enable near real-time payouts to stablecoin wallets. The integration adds a new option to Mastercard’s network, which already supports transfers to cards, bank accounts and cash in over 200 markets and 150 currencies.
“As digital currencies become a bigger part of global money movement, this collaboration with Thunes reinforces our role as a trusted bridge between traditional and digital finance. It’s all about giving end-users more choice and unlocking new possibilities for banks and payment service providers as digital currencies continue to grow,” says Pratik Khowala, Mastercard’s global head of transfer solutions.
According to a joint press release, the initiative will enable financial institutions to offer faster, always-on transfers, while providing consumers with more options for receiving funds.
Stablecoins, which are digital tokens pegged to assets such as the US dollar, can facilitate near real-time transactions without the delays associated with traditional settlement systems. The companies say stablecoin payouts may reduce exposure to currency volatility and make financial services more accessible, particularly in underserved markets.
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“Collaborating with Mastercard Move to enable stablecoin payouts is another step forward in our mission to enable the next billion end users to take part in the global economy. By adding Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network and Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets solution to their network and money movement capabilities, Mastercard is delivering faster and more inclusive payment options for individuals and businesses worldwide,” says Chloe Mayenobe, Thunes’ president and chief operating officer.
The partnership marks a key milestone in Mastercard’s effort to connect traditional finance with digital assets. It reflects a growing demand from businesses and individuals for stable, digital-first ways to send and receive money across borders. Thunes’ Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets solution will be integrated into Mastercard Move’s network, allowing instant, 24/7 payouts in a stable digital currency.
Thunes operates across 130 countries and connects more than 7 billion mobile, bank and stablecoin wallets through its proprietary network. Its infrastructure links over 320 payment methods (including mobile money services like M-Pesa, GCash, Airtel, AliPay and WeChat Pay) to enable instant transactions in more than 80 currencies.
Thunes’ Direct Global Network serves a wide range of partners, from gig-economy platforms like Grab and Deliveroo to super-apps and financial institutions. Its in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform allow payments to be processed securely and efficiently, with greater visibility and cost control.
