Thunes & WireBarley launch real-time Korea payments

Thunes and WireBarley have launched a real-time cross-border payment service spanning Asia and other international remittance routes for WireBarley's 1.1 million users.

The partnership connects WireBarley to Thunes' Direct Global Network, providing users with access to payout services across 7 sending countries and 520 payout corridors. It also enables real-time payments into South Korea through WireBarley.

The service is aimed at businesses and individuals sending money across major corridors, including South Korea, the US, Australia and Vietnam. It also adds a South Korea route to Thunes' wider network, deepening its coverage in North Asia.

South Korea is a significant remittance market. Outbound remittances reached USD $7.45 billion in 2024, and the digital remittance segment is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 16.7% through 2030.

That helps explain the partnership's commercial importance for both companies. For Thunes, the agreement strengthens access to a market with strong demand for cross-border consumer and business payments. WireBarley, meanwhile, gains a broader international reach through a network spanning more than 140 countries and over 90 currencies.

Market push

Founded in 2016, WireBarley has built its business around remittance services across Asia-Pacific and has expanded into Australia and North America. It serves 46 receiving countries and supports both personal and business transfers.

For Thunes, the deal adds to a network that links bank accounts, mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and card routes. Its customers include fintechs, banks, money transfer operators and platform companies.

Both companies said the alliance would improve transfer speeds in and out of South Korea while expanding the available corridors for users. The launch reflects a broader push by payment firms to capture cross-border flows from migrants, international workers, small businesses and online merchants seeking faster settlement.

Competition in the sector has intensified as fintech groups seek direct network connections instead of relying on longer correspondent banking chains. Faster delivery times have become a central selling point in remittance markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where adoption of mobile payments is high.

Executive views

Peter De Caluwe, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thunes, said the partnership addresses fragmentation in international money movement.

"Our collaboration with WireBarley represents a shared strategic vision to remove fragmentation in global money movement. It's a perfect example of how Thunes' Direct Global Network can serve as a catalyst for fintech innovation and growth through real-time cross-border money movement. By bridging the gap between South Korea and the rest of the world, we are supporting Thunes' presence in North Asia and empowering WireBarley to scale their vision of a borderless financial ecosystem," Caluwe said.

John Joongwon Yoo, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WireBarley, said the relationship builds on an existing level of trust between the companies.

"Thunes is a core strategic partner in our mission, built on the strong trust we have developed over the years and our shared commitment to a market-leading spirit. Together, we will deliver game-changing and seamless cross-border payment services in real time across multiple countries and regions, while accelerating our regional presence and strategic business expansion," he said.

The agreement underlines how payment companies are building denser regional corridors rather than simply broader global footprints. In markets such as South Korea, where consumers and businesses expect quick digital transactions, the ability to move funds in real time across many routes is becoming an increasingly important differentiator.

WireBarley's user base and corridor coverage give Thunes a local partner with established reach in Korean remittances. At the same time, Thunes provides WireBarley with a broader international framework for sending and receiving payments. Together, the companies said, this creates a two-way route for capital flows between South Korea and overseas markets.

Thunes' network reaches more than 140 countries and supports more than 90 currencies. WireBarley now operates across seven sending countries, 46 receiving countries and 520 remittance corridors.