Mastercard's money-transfer division, Mastercard Move, has partnered with Singapore-based payment network Thunes to support near-instant payouts to stablecoin wallets across more than 200 markets. The collaboration, announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival on Nov. 13, lets financial institutions on the platform settle transactions directly onto multiple blockchain networks using regulated stablecoins, outside the constraints of traditional market hours.
Mastercard Adds Stablecoin Wallets to Global Payout Network
“With Mastercard Move, we already enable transfers in 150 currencies to over 10 billion endpoints—including accounts, cards, and cash. With this collaboration we’re adding stablecoin wallets to that mix. It’s all about giving end-users more choice and unlocking new possibilities for banks and payment service providers as digital currencies continue to grow,” said Pratik Khowala, Global Head of Transfer Solutions at Mastercard. For corporate and institutional clients, the integration addresses specific operational pain points. Companies requiring frequent fiat-to-crypto conversion can integrate a Paybis crypto on-ramp that automates exchange and settlement without manual intervention per cycle.
This move also carries implications for financial inclusion, though 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 digital tools and can manage associated technical requirements.
Thunes Connects Diverse Financial Ecosystems in Real Time
Thunes, operating across 130 countries, has built a reputation as one of the few payment networks capable of connecting digital wallets, banks, and alternative payment methods in real time. The Singapore-based company facilitates direct transfers between emerging-market mobile money services and established fintech platforms. This partnership marks another step by legacy payment giants into the crypto space. While stablecoin payouts expand user choices and provide flexible settlement for cross-border payments, regulatory compliance, wallet security, and user experience remain key challenges before mass adoption.