Thunes has introduced real-time payment capabilities directly into New Zealand, marking a significant step forward in its expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. Members of the company’s Direct Global Network can now execute instant transfers to local bank accounts, delivering faster and more transparent options for both individual consumers and businesses. The announcement was made on April 21, 2026, at the Money20/20 Asia conference in Bangkok.
Through this latest addition, Thunes has integrated direct Pay-to-Bank functionality, allowing seamless movement of New Zealand dollars (NZD) into recipient accounts.
Users can connect via a straightforward API integration or continue using established SWIFT channels, ensuring broad accessibility without requiring major system overhauls.
New Zealand’s financial sector is actively modernizing to accommodate real-time digital commerce and the expanding gig economy.
Industry projections indicate that real-time transactions in the country are expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 21.3 percent through 2027, reflecting strong demand for efficient cross-border solutions.
This launch aligns perfectly with those trends, removing traditional delays and complexities that have long hindered international money flows.
“At Thunes, we’re dismantling the legacy friction that creates barriers to the global digital economy,” said Eugene Chua, Head of Network for Asia-Pacific.
“Asia Pacific is where the Thunes story began, so we are especially pleased to be strengthening our reach in a high-growth market like New Zealand.”
The development further cements Thunes’ reputation as a frontrunner in real-time cross-border payments.
Its Direct Global Network is powered by proprietary technology, including the SmartX Treasury System, which employs artificial intelligence for precise forecasting and instantaneous liquidity oversight.
Complementing this is the Fortress Compliance Platform, supported by more than 50 regulatory licenses worldwide, which maintains rigorous standards for security, regulatory adherence, and operational reliability.
Thunes operates as a smart superhighway for global money movement. Its network spans more than 140 countries and over 90 currencies, connecting directly to billions of mobile wallets, stablecoin accounts, and bank accounts, as well as extensive card networks through more than 220 payment methods.
These include widely used platforms such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, Alipay, and WeChat Pay HK.
What distinguishes the network is its combination of unmatched geographic coverage, in-house treasury tools, and advanced compliance infrastructure—delivering superior speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiency.
Clients range from gig-economy leaders like Uber and Deliveroo to super-apps such as Grab and WeChat, alongside money transfer operators, fintech companies, payment service providers, and traditional banks.
Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes maintains a presence in 14 international locations, including Atlanta, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Manila, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco, and Shanghai.