Thunes and Fiserv Partner to Enable Real-Time Global Payouts for Marketplaces

Thunes and Fiserv have entered a strategic collaboration to overhaul international payout capabilities for global platforms and marketplaces. By integrating Thunes’ Direct Global Network into the Fiserv merchant ecosystem, the partnership addresses the critical friction points of speed and transparency that have long hindered cross-border business-to-business and business-to-employee payments.

What was announced

The collaboration centers on the integration of Thunes’ proprietary cross-border infrastructure with Fiserv’s extensive merchant services. This move allows ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, and other Fiserv clients to facilitate instant global payouts. The service is designed to streamline the movement of funds for a variety of use cases, including paying international employees, settling utility or service bills, and compensating global suppliers.

Through this alliance, Fiserv clients gain access to the Thunes Direct Global Network, which provides connectivity to 12 billion bank accounts and mobile wallets. The reach of this network spans over 140 countries and supports transactions in 90 different currencies. A key focus of the rollout is the U.S. market, where Thunes has secured money transmission licenses in every state where they are required. This regulatory standing allows U.S.-based enterprises to leverage licensed payment capabilities to move money into supported international markets in real-time, providing a level of predictability often missing from traditional correspondent banking routes.

"As merchants expand across borders, they need payments that are as seamless as their growth ambitions. Our work with Thunes helps businesses move money globally with greater speed, transparency and predictability, supporting more efficient and scalable global operations,"

Sanjay Saraf, Chief Product Officer - Fiserv Merchant Services at Fiserv.

The companies involved

Thunes operates as a global B2B payments network, positioning itself as a "Smart Superhighway" for money movement. The company focuses on building direct connections to local payment systems, mobile wallets, and banks to bypass the complexities of traditional cross-border finance. Its Direct Global Network is built to support large-scale fintechs and enterprises requiring compliant, high-velocity payout infrastructure. Kyle Rosen serves as the CSO - Head of Americas at Thunes, leading the firm's expansion in the Western hemisphere.

Fiserv is a heavyweight in the global payments and financial services technology sector. The company provides a broad suite of solutions ranging from account processing and digital banking to card issuer processing and merchant acquiring. Through its Merchant Services division, Fiserv supports millions of businesses worldwide, handling the underlying technology that enables commerce at the point of sale and online. The firm is a central pillar of the financial services ecosystem, often serving as the primary technology partner for banks and large-scale retailers navigating the shift toward digital-first financial operations.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely tracked the evolution of Thunes as it expands its technical capabilities and geographic footprint. We previously covered the company’s move into the South Pacific in Thunes Launches Real-Time Payments into New Zealand. Beyond traditional fiat currency, Thunes has also been active in the digital asset space, as seen in our reports on Thunes Brings Stablecoin Payouts to 11,500 Banks via Swift Connectivity, Bridging Traditional Finance and Digital Assets and their work with Circle’s stablecoin in Thunes Expands Web3 Infrastructure with EURC for Instant Euro Treasury Funding.

What this means

This partnership is a significant blow to the traditional correspondent banking model for commercial payouts. By plugging Thunes directly into Fiserv—one of the world’s largest merchant acquirers—the "last mile" of international payments becomes significantly shorter for thousands of U.S. enterprises. The move puts immediate pressure on legacy payment processors who still rely on multi-day settlement cycles. For fintech professionals, the takeaway is clear: the industry is moving toward a reality where "cross-border" is no longer a synonym for "slow." Watch for whether this forces other major merchant acquirers to seek similar infrastructure partnerships to remain competitive in the gig economy and global marketplace sectors.