Thunes has formed a strategic collaboration with Ontop to deliver instant cross-border payments to freelancers and remote workers worldwide. The partnership leverages Thunes’ global payment infrastructure to enable real-time local currency transfers across multiple international markets.
The collaboration addresses growing demand from businesses seeking efficient payment solutions for distributed workforces. Ontop, which operates payroll services across more than 150 countries, will integrate Thunes’ Direct Global Network to offer immediate fund transfers to workers in Costa Rica, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.
Expanding Market Opportunity
The timing coincides with significant growth in global freelance work. World Bank data shows 1.57 billion people work as self-employed individuals, representing approximately 47 percent of the worldwide workforce. Industry projections indicate the global freelance platform market will expand by more than 16 percent annually between 2024 and 2030.
Traditional cross-border payment methods often involve delays and processing friction that can impact worker satisfaction and business operations. The new service aims to eliminate these barriers by providing instantaneous fund access regardless of geographic location.
Regulatory Foundation
Thunes secured Money Transmitter Licenses across 50 United States jurisdictions in June, establishing the regulatory framework necessary for expanded operations. This licensing milestone enables the company to facilitate compliant money movement services throughout most US markets.
The partnership particularly benefits emerging market workers who depend on timely payment access for daily expenses. By converting international earnings into local currencies immediately, the service reduces financial uncertainty for global talent.
Executive Perspectives
Thomas McAllister, Chief Financial Services Officer at Ontop, emphasized the strategic importance: “Fast, reliable, and inclusive financial access is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s foundational to the future of global work“
Kyle Rosen, Head of Americas at Thunes, highlighted the broader economic impact: “We’re working together to promote social mobility by enabling skilled freelancers in emerging markets to access and thrive in the global economy“
Business Impact
The collaboration supports Ontop’s expansion strategy in US and Latin American markets by offering enhanced payment capabilities to business customers. Companies using the platform can now provide competitive compensation packages that include immediate payment access, potentially improving talent acquisition and retention.
For Thunes, the partnership demonstrates practical applications of its payment infrastructure in serving the distributed workforce segment. The collaboration showcases how financial technology can bridge traditional banking limitations in international commerce.
The service launch reflects broader industry trends toward real-time financial services and the increasing importance of seamless cross-border payment solutions in supporting global business operations.