What Will a Truly Borderless Financial System Look Like? – Elie Bertha – Chief Product Officer at Thunes

by Michael Waitze | Jun 18, 2025

Global financial systems are evolving rapidly, but many remain fragmented, creating barriers for people and businesses trying to move money across borders. While local solutions like mobile wallets have improved access in specific regions, they often operate in isolation.

In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, ⁠Elie Bertha⁠, Chief Product Officer at ⁠Thunes⁠, explores why interoperability is becoming the cornerstone of global financial services.

Some of the topics that Elie covered in detail include:

Connectivity may power global commerce, but interoperability—systems speaking to each other in real-time—is the glue that makes it functional.
In emerging markets like the Philippines, Indonesia, and large swaths of Africa, mobile wallets have become essential tools for financial inclusion.
The most persistent obstacles to seamless cross-border payments aren’t technological—they’re bureaucratic.
Frictionless payments aren’t just convenient—they unleash liquidity.
Digital wallets that hold fiat, crypto, or stablecoins offer the flexibility users need, but challenges remain. Stablecoins promise 24/7 global liquidity—but usability, acceptance, and integration into traditional systems remain hurdles.

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