Alibaba-Backed Ant Group Moves to Onboard USDC, Pending Regulatory Clearance
Ant Group, the fintech giant backed by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, is preparing to integrate Circle’s USDC stablecoin into its proprietary blockchain network. The rollout is expected to begin once the stablecoin receives certification under the latest U.S. federal digital asset regulations.
This development is a significant milestone for the broader crypto ecosystem, particularly the stablecoin market, as it signals rising acceptance of regulated dollar-backed digital currencies by major global fintech players.
USDC to Join a Blockchain Processing Over $1 Trillion Annually
Ant Group’s blockchain network is already a powerhouse, having processed more than $1 trillion in global payments last year, with around one-third of those settled on-chain. If successfully integrated, USDC could become the first U.S.-issued stablecoin to operate at such a scale in a corporate setting outside the U.S.
This move could make Ant Group the largest non-U.S. corporate user of a regulated stablecoin, creating a bridge between Western stablecoin innovation and Eastern financial infrastructure.
Ant International Applies for Stablecoin Licenses in Key Global Markets
In parallel with the USDC integration plan, Ant International is pursuing stablecoin licensing in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Luxembourg—three leading jurisdictions in digital asset regulation. These licenses will allow the company to expand its regulated financial services ecosystem, which will include:
- USDC and other stablecoins
- Tokenized bank deposits
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) such as China’s digital yuan
By combining these instruments on a single blockchain platform, Ant aims to offer a unified global settlement layer for digital value exchange.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Ambitions
Ant’s blockchain currently supports tokenized assets from multiple financial institutions and has been in collaboration with the People’s Bank of China on the digital yuan initiative. This integration with Circle’s USDC marks a further step in aligning the company with emerging international standards for programmable money and cross-border digital payments.
Final Thoughts
This move reinforces the growing relevance of stablecoins like USDC in global finance. With Ant Group’s backing, USDC adoption is poised to accelerate across Asia and Europe, reshaping how digital dollars flow in regulated financial systems.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.