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Apr 22, 2026
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Image by Thunes
Thunes, the Singapore-based global payment network, has officially joined the Circle Payments Network (CPN) Managed Payments platform. This move enables Thunes to provide stablecoin-powered settlement capabilities to its global clientele while maintaining existing fiat-based operational workflows. The collaboration aims to achieve total interoperability across the financial landscape, bridging gaps between traditional banking and the digital asset ecosystem. This integration expands a relationship that began in 2024 when Thunes first integrated USDC into its Direct Global Network. By upgrading to Managed Payments, Thunes can now offer seamless settlement without requiring clients to manage digital asset wallets or blockchain keys directly. Circle handles the backend complexities, including blockchain operations, payment orchestration, and regulatory compliance, making the technology invisible to the end user.
The use of USDC for real-time settlement eliminates the constraints of traditional banking hours and the need for heavy pre-funding in local accounts. Network members, including banks, gig economy platforms, and money transfer operators, can now access 24-7 liquidity management. This approach frees up millions in working capital previously trapped in dormant "nostro" accounts across different jurisdictions. Chlo Mayenobe, Deputy CEO at Thunes, noted that joining the network is a natural step toward making world payment systems truly borderless. She emphasized that the goal is to ensure a fast, secure, and invisible experience for users, regardless of whether they use a traditional bank account in Europe or a mobile wallet in Africa.
Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Circle, highlighted that Thunes' deep expertise in global connectivity provides valuable input for the Circle Payments Network. This scale helps expand access to stablecoin-powered settlement for financial institutions globally. The partnership represents a significant shift toward normalizing stablecoins as foundational infrastructure rather than standalone assets. Thunes' proprietary network currently connects to over 12 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts across 140 countries. By linking these endpoints to blockchain rails, the company continues to build the "Smart Superhighway" required for the modern global economy. More information on these developments can be found at thunes.com and circle.com.
The integration of Thunes into the Circle Payments Network Managed Payments platform represents a critical evolution in cross-border finance. By utilizing stablecoins as a backend settlement rail while keeping the frontend fiat-based, Thunes is removing the technical and regulatory barriers that have historically slowed enterprise blockchain adoption. This move validates the trend of stablecoins transitioning from niche digital assets into the foundational infrastructure of global liquidity. For the industry, it means that the speed of the blockchain is finally being coupled with the reach of traditional mobile wallets and bank accounts at scale.
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