Terry KS Thunes has launched a direct technical integration with UnionPay International to enable faster and more transparent payments into China’s mainland. The collaboration delivers a domestic-like, pay-to-card experience with upfront FX rates and near real-time settlement for global remittance providers.
SINGAPORE, 23 JANUARY 2026 – Thunes has announced the launch of faster, more reliable, and more transparent payments into China’s mainland following a deepened collaboration with UnionPay International (UPI). The new initiative establishes a direct technical connection between Thunes’ Direct Global Network and UnionPay’s infrastructure, significantly enhancing support for the UnionPay MoneyExpress remittance service.
Through this direct connection, Thunes now offers streamlined access to a vast base of UnionPay cardholders across 79 major Chinese banks, including ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of Communications, and China Merchants Bank. The integration enables Thunes’ global Members, ranging from banks and neobanks to super apps, digital wallets, gig economy platforms, and money transfer operators, to deliver more efficient cross-border payment services into China.
Historically, sending money to China has been complex due to hidden fees, delayed settlement, and manual fund declarations. Thunes’ direct link to UnionPay addresses these challenges by enabling a seamless pay-to-card experience, with transactions credited in real time or within 12 hours. Funds are delivered directly to UnionPay debit cards in mainland China as RMB, with exchange rates locked in upfront and no manual intervention required.
By leveraging its Direct Global Network, Thunes provides a domestic-style payment experience for international remittances into China, improving transparency and predictability for both senders and recipients. The enhanced connectivity ensures greater reliability while reducing friction traditionally associated with cross-border transfers into one of the world’s largest economies.
UnionPay MoneyExpress remains a key pillar of UnionPay International’s cross-border remittance strategy, offering secure and efficient settlement into China’s domestic card network. The collaboration with Thunes further strengthens this bridge, ensuring users worldwide benefit from upfront foreign exchange rates, rapid settlement, and improved payment certainty.