Money transfer operators are increasingly focused on providing real-time payment options to a global clientele, with companies like Thunes and Nium positioning themselves as key enablers of this shift. Thunes reports facilitating transparent and cost-effective payments to over 140 countries, with 85% of transactions settled in real-time.
The demand for faster, more affordable international money transfers is driven by factors including increased immigration, international trade and the rise of remote work, according to a recent report by Fintech Weekly. The report, published August 22, 2025, highlights a move away from traditional bank wires toward fintech solutions that offer greater speed and transparency.
Nium focuses on enabling efficient fund transfers, including for low-value transactions and to customers without traditional bank accounts. The company states it can deliver payments to over 190 countries, with over 80% of transactions reaching beneficiary accounts within 15 minutes. Nium too emphasizes end-to-end transparency, offering tools to track payment statuses in real-time.
Thunes specifically targets Money Transfer Operators (MTOs), offering solutions for remittance payments and expansion into new markets. The company cites partnerships with Remitly, Western Union, and Ria as examples of its reach within the industry. Thunes’ network provides access to millions of endpoints, including mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets, bank accounts, and cards, in both developed and emerging markets.
Both Thunes and Nium highlight cost optimization as a key benefit for MTOs, aiming to eliminate intermediary fees and offer competitive exchange rates. Thunes offers flexible funding options, including the use of stablecoins like USDC to bypass traditional banking hours. Nium allows for zero-deduction wire transfers and full visibility over fees and foreign exchange rates before transactions are submitted.
Dandelion Payments also offers a network of payout channels—banks, mobile wallets, and cash pickup—to access emerging markets, even in remote areas. The company’s platform ensures recipients receive the full payment amount without deductions, leveraging local payment rails for cost-effective transactions.
The shift towards fintech solutions in the money transfer sector is also driven by a need for financial inclusion, as highlighted by the Migration Policy Institute in a 2024 study, “Leaving No One Behind.”
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