Singapore-based fintech Thunes announced a significant milestone with Banco Cathay of Costa Rica: the activation of seamless pay-to-wallet functionality powered by SWIFT infrastructure. This integration allows the Central American bank to route international disbursements directly into mobile wallets worldwide using its established SWIFT connections, eliminating the need for complex new setups.
Customers can now send funds instantly to recipients in mobile-first regions, bridging traditional banking rails with modern digital endpoints.
The solution leverages Thunes’ advanced Direct Global Network, which links to more than 7 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin accounts, and bank accounts across over 130 countries and 80 currencies.
Powered by Thunes’ SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, it delivers end-to-end visibility, security, and efficiency.
Banco Cathay’s Commercial Manager Franklin Wang highlighted how the partnership delivers “faster, simpler, and more accessible cross-border payments” for clients seeking wallet-based transfers.
Thunes Deputy CEO Chloé Mayenobe emphasized that any SWIFT-connected institution can now tap into next-generation rails, advancing financial inclusion for underbanked and mobile-dominant populations.
This launch exemplifies the rapid evolution of cross-border payments in early 2026.
The industry is shifting toward real-time interoperability, with SWIFT preparing a new scheme for consumer and SME payments that promises predictable speed and transparency—building on the fact that 75% of its network payments already reach beneficiary banks within 10 minutes.
Adoption of the ISO 20022 messaging standard continues to accelerate globally, enriching data flows and reducing friction in correspondent banking.
Meanwhile, stablecoins have surged, with total transaction volumes exceeding $11 trillion in 2025 (though true payment activity reached about $390 billion), driven by regulatory clarity in the US, EU, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Central banks are exploring tokenized settlement and digital assets, while G20 Roadmap initiatives focus on faster, cheaper, and more inclusive global flows.
These trends carry profound implications for the global economy.
By slashing costs and settlement times—from days to seconds—innovations like pay-to-wallet unlock liquidity for small businesses, boost remittances (a lifeline for emerging markets), and facilitate smoother international trade.
Enhanced financial inclusion empowers the Global South, stimulating consumption, entrepreneurship, and GDP growth.
Reduced forex exposure and operational inefficiencies could add hundreds of billions annually to worldwide economic output, while stablecoins help hedge volatility in high-inflation regions like parts of Latin America and other regions.
Overall, they foster a more resilient, interconnected financial system amid geopolitical tensions and supply-chain pressures.
Thunes operates in a competitive landscape alongside innovators like Wise, which has deepened bank partnerships for low-cost, transparent B2B transfers; Ripple, advancing blockchain-based on-demand liquidity for institutions; Airwallex, expanding embedded finance and local accounts in Asia-Pacific; and dLocal, strengthening real-time payouts across Latin America and Africa.
Stripe has moved aggressively into stablecoin settlements following its Bridge acquisition, while XTransfer reports explosive growth in SME export corridors.
Thunes aims to differentiate itself through unmatched wallet density and direct network access for traditional banks. As 2026 unfolds, such collaborations signal a maturing ecosystem where legacy infrastructure converges with digital innovation.