Thunes has launched real-time pay-to-bank transfers into New Zealand, extending its direct network in Asia-Pacific.
Members of the Thunes network can now send New Zealand dollars to bank accounts in the country through either a direct API connection or existing Swift connectivity. The service supports both consumer and business transactions.
The expansion adds another market to Thunes’ network, which supports real-time payments in more than 140 countries and over 90 currencies. Based in Singapore, the company works with banks, payment service providers, fintechs and money transfer operators.
Regional push
New Zealand is updating its payments infrastructure as demand for digital commerce and faster settlement grows. Real-time transactions in the market are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21.3% through 2027.
The launch strengthens Thunes’ position in Asia-Pacific, where it began operations. The region remains a key market for cross-border payments providers as businesses seek faster settlement and greater visibility into international transfers.
The rollout is designed to make payments into New Zealand faster and more transparent for network members, including firms handling consumer payouts and businesses managing international transactions.
Network model
Thunes operates what it describes as a direct global network linking bank accounts, mobile wallets, cards and other payment methods. The company says the network reaches more than 12 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and bank accounts, as well as 15 billion cards across more than 220 payment methods.
Its customers include gig economy companies, super-apps, payment firms and banks. Uber, Deliveroo, Grab and WeChat are among the businesses it lists as network members.
Thunes says its payments infrastructure relies on an in-house treasury system for forecasting and liquidity management, alongside a compliance platform supported by more than 50 licences worldwide. Those systems underpin payment processing across its network.
Eugene Chua outlined the company’s view of the market in a statement on the launch.
“At Thunes, we’re dismantling the legacy friction that creates barriers to the global digital economy. 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. Geography should never hinder ambition, and we are proud to be the engine driving financial connectivity, providing the infrastructure that supports and empowers businesses and individuals to benefit from international money movement and participate more fully in the global economy,” said Eugene Chua, Head of Network, APAC, Thunes.
Thunes is headquartered in Singapore and has offices across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the United States. Its expansion into New Zealand comes as payments groups race to deepen direct access to local markets, as cross-border transactions become faster and more integrated with domestic banking systems.
For businesses sending funds into New Zealand, the addition provides another route for direct settlement to local bank accounts in local currency.