Cross-border payments network Thunes has expanded its Direct Global Network into Venezuela, enabling participating banks, money transfer operators, payment service providers and gig economy platforms to send real-time transfers to millions of bank accounts through the country’s Credito Inmediato Interbancario instant interbank transfer platform. The expansion extends Thunes’ payout infrastructure into a market where remittances and international transfers play an important role in household finances and economic activity.

Thunes Extends Real-Time Payment Network to Venezuela

Cross-border payments provider Thunes is extending its Direct Global Network into Venezuela, adding a new Latin American corridor for institutions and platforms seeking to deliver funds to local bank accounts. The expansion connects Thunes network members to Credito Inmediato Interbancario, the local platform identified by the company as supporting instant interbank transfers.

The move targets several use cases, including international remittances, business payments and payouts to freelancers working through digital platforms. Participating banks, money transfer operators (MTOs) and payment service providers will be able to route transfers through Thunes’ network, while gig economy platforms can use the infrastructure to pay workers in Venezuela.

The announcement did not disclose transaction limits, pricing, supported sending countries, currency-conversion arrangements or a rollout schedule. Those details will help determine how the service performs for individual customers and business users.

Remittances underpin demand for payment access

Venezuela is an important destination for cross-border money transfers, as households rely on funds sent from relatives abroad and workers receive payments from international clients. The announcement cites estimates that remittances to Venezuela reached approximately US$6 billion in 2025, equivalent to around 7% of gross domestic product, with about half originating in the United States.

Those figures point to a meaningful need for reliable international payment channels, although remittance estimates can vary according to methodology and the extent of informal transfer activity. For recipients, the practical value of a payment service depends not only on speed but also on exchange rates, fees, payout availability and the ability to access funds through familiar financial channels.

By connecting its network to local interbank infrastructure, Thunes is seeking to make transfers more direct for participating institutions. A real-time payout route can reduce delays associated with traditional correspondent banking or more fragmented payment processes, depending on the sending route and the institutions involved.

However, real-time processing at the receiving end does not necessarily mean every international transfer will settle instantly from initiation. Compliance screening, funding arrangements, currency conversion and intermediary processes can still affect end-to-end delivery times.

A new payout route for digital workers and businesses

The expansion also targets payments to Venezuelan freelancers and other workers earning income through international digital platforms. Businesses operating across borders often need to pay contractors in different markets without creating a separate banking relationship in each country.

A connected payout network can simplify that process by providing a single integration path to multiple local payment systems. For platforms, the potential benefits include fewer manual payment steps and more predictable delivery to recipients. For workers, faster access to earnings may help reduce the time between completing work and receiving payment.

Thunes also identifies financial inclusion as a potential use case, with its announcement referencing access to local digital wallets and cash pickup points. The specific Venezuela rollout, however, is described primarily in terms of transfers to bank accounts through Credito Inmediato Interbancario. The company did not detail which wallet providers or cash pickup networks are available through this corridor.

Access will also depend on recipient eligibility, local account availability and the payment methods supported by individual network members. Expanding the infrastructure does not by itself establish that previously unbanked users can access the service.

Treasury and compliance infrastructure

Thunes said the Venezuelan corridor operates through its SmartX Treasury System, which it describes as supporting liquidity management, and its Fortress Compliance Platform for regulatory compliance and security controls. The company also cites a network of more than 50 global regulatory licences.

Treasury management is a material consideration for cross-border payment providers. Operators need to manage liquidity across markets and currencies while ensuring that funds are available for payouts. Poor liquidity planning can lead to delays or higher operating costs even when the receiving payment system supports rapid transfers.

Compliance controls are equally important for payment providers operating across jurisdictions. Cross-border transfers may require customer verification, transaction monitoring and screening against applicable sanctions and anti-money-laundering requirements. The exact obligations vary according to the entities involved, the jurisdictions through which funds move and the transaction itself.

Thunes’ use of its treasury and compliance platforms indicates that the Venezuela expansion is built on its existing network infrastructure rather than being presented as a standalone payment product. The company has not published corridor-specific performance data, such as average payout times, transaction volumes or failure rates.

Competition in Latin American payment infrastructure

Payment networks are seeking to connect local payment systems with international financial institutions and digital platforms as remittances, contractor payments and cross-border commerce become increasingly digital. Access to domestic instant-payment infrastructure can help providers improve payout speed and reduce dependence on slower transfer methods.

For Thunes, Venezuela adds another destination to its international network and strengthens its position in Latin America. For network members, the value will depend on the corridor’s geographic reach, settlement economics, reliability and integration requirements compared with alternative providers.

The expansion’s broader impact will become clearer as transaction volumes, coverage and service performance emerge. Important indicators include the number of active sending partners, the range of supported payout methods, end-to-end delivery times and the total cost of sending money.

Thunes is positioning the launch around faster and more accessible financial connectivity. Whether that translates into lower costs or broader inclusion for Venezuelan recipients will depend on the terms offered by participating providers and the practical availability of the service.

Market Landscape

Cross-border payment providers increasingly connect international financial institutions and digital platforms to local payment rails to improve payout speed and access. Venezuela presents a relevant use case because remittances and international earnings support households, freelancers and businesses.

Thunes’ expansion adds a route into the local interbank transfer infrastructure through its existing Direct Global Network. Its treasury and compliance systems are intended to support liquidity management and cross-border regulatory controls. However, the company has not disclosed corridor-specific costs, transaction performance or supported payout methods beyond the stated bank-account access.

The competitive opportunity depends on whether participating providers can deliver a reliable and cost-effective service. Real-time local processing is an important component, but fees, exchange rates, compliance checks and recipient access remain central to the customer experience.

Top Insights

• Thunes has expanded its Direct Global Network into Venezuela, connecting participating financial institutions and payment platforms to local interbank transfer infrastructure.
• The corridor supports real-time payouts to bank accounts through Credito Inmediato Interbancario, according to the company’s announcement.
• Remittances and international earnings are key target use cases, alongside payments to freelancers working with global digital platforms.
• Thunes says SmartX Treasury and Fortress Compliance support liquidity management and compliance, but it has not published corridor-specific performance metrics.
• The expansion’s practical impact will depend on fees, exchange rates, supported sending markets, recipient eligibility and end-to-end transfer reliability.

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