- Ripple collaboration with Thunes opens access to 130 countries, over 3 billion mobile wallets, and 4 billion bank accounts.
- Thunes’ infrastructure enhances Ripple’s real-time settlement capabilities via the XRP Ledger.
- The partnership targets not only remittances and e-commerce but also corporate treasury applications.
- Built-in compliance features and proof-of-reserves bolster Ripple’s global adoption prospects.
- Ripple’s expanded reach could increase XRP demand as a liquidity source across multiple corridors.
Ripple Just Went for SWIFT’s Throat
Ripple has taken a bold step toward redefining cross-border payments with its expanded partnership with Thunes, a global payments platform known for last-mile solutions. Crypto enthusiast Diana described the move as Ripple “going for SWIFT’s throat,” highlighting how this collaboration could transform financial settlements worldwide.
Her analysis stressed that Ripple’s integration with Thunes is far more than a standard fintech partnership—it provides Ripple with the infrastructure to reach billions of users in regions where SWIFT remains slow, costly, or unavailable.
Thunes’ Global Payment Network
Thunes is recognized for its powerful last-mile payment capabilities, connecting to 80+ currencies, 3 billion mobile wallets, and 4 billion bank accounts. Its infrastructure already supports remittances, e-commerce payments, and humanitarian aid distribution.
By leveraging Ripple’s XRP Ledger, these corridors gain instant settlement in local currencies, significantly improving speed and cost-efficiency compared to traditional systems. This positions Ripple as a settlement leader, while Thunes delivers the final distribution that SWIFT often struggles to reach.
Ripple’s Strategic Advantage
Diana emphasized that Ripple’s move solidifies its role as a global payments powerhouse. Unlike SWIFT, which only provides messaging, Ripple and Thunes combine settlement and delivery into one streamlined process.
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This means banks, fintechs, and corporations can move funds across borders in seconds, not days, enhancing both efficiency and liquidity management.
Treasury Solutions and Institutional Reach
Beyond retail use cases, Ripple and Thunes are also targeting institutional treasuries. Thunes’ SmartX Treasury System, now operating on Ripple’s infrastructure, enables:
- Real-time liquidity optimization
- Automated payouts
- Instant global reporting
Diana highlighted that this isn’t just about remittances but also about Fortune 500 companies managing global treasury operations more effectively.
Compliance, Regulation, and XRP Demand
Ripple’s integration of proof-of-reserves, local KYC mechanisms, and audited compliance systems positions it ahead of many rivals in navigating regulatory frameworks.
Each new corridor supported on the XRP Ledger increases potential demand for XRP as a liquidity bridge asset, strengthening its long-term market role. Ripple has already processed over $70 billion in payments, and with Thunes extending its reach to 130 countries, the network is poised to tap into the multi-trillion-dollar FX market.
A Structural Shift in Global Payments
The Ripple–Thunes deal represents a structural transformation of the payments industry. By securing last-mile access in regions where SWIFT falls short, Ripple now connects billions of wallets and accounts across 130 countries.
For Diana and many crypto observers, this isn’t just a partnership—it’s a direct challenge to SWIFT’s global dominance, positioning Ripple and XRP at the forefront of next-generation finance.