Mastercard bridges fiat and crypto payouts in Thunes tie-up

Mastercard’s money-movement unit is teaming with Thunes to support near-instantaneous payouts to stablecoin wallets across 200+ markets.

According to a press release dated Nov. 13, the collaboration between Mastercard Move and Thunes —announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival — provides financial institutions on the platform with a new, direct channel to settle transactions onto various blockchain networks using regulated stablecoins, operating outside the constraints of traditional market hours.

Mastercard brings stablecoins to global finance

For corporate and institutional clients, this integration addresses specific operational pain points. The capability for near real-time, 24/7 payouts could streamline cross-border payroll, supplier payments, and remittances, particularly in corridors where traditional banking channels are slow or costly.

The move also has implications for financial inclusion, though its practical effects remain to be measured. Mastercard’s network reaches over 95% of the world’s banked population.

Adding stablecoin wallets as a payout endpoint could offer an alternative for individuals in areas with limited banking infrastructure, provided they have access to the necessary digital tools and can manage the associated technical requirements.

Thunes, for its part, has built a reputation as one of the few payment networks capable of connecting digital wallets, banks, and alternative payment methods in real time.

Operating across 130 countries, the Singapore-based company facilitates direct transfers between diverse financial ecosystems, from emerging-market mobile money services to established fintech platforms.