Freelancers and remote workers across the globe just got a big boost. Thunes, the cross-border payments specialist, is teaming up with Ontop, the US-based payroll and financial services platform, to bring real-time earnings access to talent in over 150 countries.
By plugging Ontop into Thunes’ Direct Global Network, payouts can now land instantly in local bank accounts in countries like Costa Rica, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, and the UK. That’s a major upgrade from the sluggish, fee-heavy transfers that have long frustrated the global gig economy.
The move follows Thunes’ June milestone of securing Money Transmitter Licenses in all 50 US states—a regulatory green light that opens the door to broader, faster services for American businesses paying overseas talent.
Why It Matters
The partnership hits at a sweet spot in the market. Freelance work is booming—1.57 billion people worldwide are self-employed, making up roughly 47% of the global workforce, according to the World Bank. And with the global freelance platform market projected to grow over 16% annually through 2030, payment speed and accessibility have gone from perk to necessity.
For Ontop, faster payouts help its US and Latin American business customers keep top talent happy and productive. For freelancers, especially in emerging markets, it means getting paid on time without losing money to intermediaries or exchange-rate delays.
The Players Speak
“Fast, reliable, and inclusive financial access is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s foundational to the future of global work,” said Thomas McAllister, Ontop’s Chief Financial Services Officer. “Partnering with Thunes allows us to deliver exactly that: real-time payouts, in local currency, to the people building the global economy.”
Kyle Rosen, Head of Americas at Thunes, called the collaboration “a competitive advantage” for businesses hiring remotely: “We’re helping companies give workers a smoother payment experience while promoting social mobility in emerging markets.”
Bigger Picture
This deal signals a growing race among global payroll providers—think Deel, Remote, and Papaya Global—to remove the final friction points in borderless work. Thunes’ instant-transfer infrastructure and Ontop’s payroll management could give them an edge, especially in regions where banking access is inconsistent and payment delays can stretch into days.
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