Jack Ma’s Ant Group to Integrate Circle’s USDC Stablecoin into Global Blockchain Network

Stablecoins continue to gain traction globally, especially following new U.S. legislation passed in June. In a major development, Ant Group, the Chinese fintech giant backed by Jack Ma, is preparing to integrate Circle’s USDC stablecoin into its blockchain ecosystem, according to individuals with knowledge of the initiative.

This move is spearheaded by Ant International, the global arm of Ant Group, as it seeks to expand the use of regulated digital assets within its financial infrastructure—particularly in cross-border payments and treasury operations.

Regulatory Strategy and International Licensing

Ant International is currently exploring stablecoin licenses in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Luxembourg as it plans to onboard Circle’s USDC after it aligns with U.S. regulatory standards. The official timeline for this rollout hasn’t been confirmed, according to sources who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.

This collaboration aligns with Ant’s broader strategy to incorporate more regulated digital currencies—such as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and tokenized deposits—on its blockchain platform, which already processes a substantial share of the firm’s global transactions.

Circle’s Surge Post-Legislation

Circle, the company behind USDC, has seen a surge in market optimism since the U.S. Senate approved legislation setting a framework for stablecoins. The company recently went public and has announced plans for a global payments network that leverages USDC for cross-border settlements between financial institutions.

Circle’s stock rallied by as much as 4.4% to reach $209.57 on Thursday and has climbed over 500% since its listing.

Ant’s Blockchain and Transaction Growth

In 2024, Ant processed over $1 trillion in global transactions, with approximately one-third of those conducted via its blockchain infrastructure. The platform currently supports tokenized financial instruments issued by major global banks and financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, BNP Paribas, and Standard Chartered.

Ant International has also been actively expanding its global footprint following regulatory setbacks in China that impacted its online lending business. The firm has since formed an independent board, paving the way for a possible IPO, which could value the company between $8 billion and $24 billion if listed in Hong Kong, according to analysts.

Stablecoins: Growing Interest and Global Push

Stablecoins, pegged to traditional fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, are essential to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. By June 2025, the total market supply exceeded $250 billion, highlighting their increasing role in digital finance. Regulatory bodies globally are working to put frameworks in place to prevent misuse, including money laundering and systemic risk.

Ant’s push into stablecoins reflects a growing trend among large corporations. Tech and retail giants such as Amazon, Walmart, and PayPal have shown interest in issuing their own digital currencies. Even traditional asset managers like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton have ventured into tokenized financial products that behave like stablecoins and can be used as trading collateral.

While Ant and Circle have declined to publicly comment on the development, industry experts view this potential partnership as a major leap in stablecoin adoption—especially within Asia’s growing digital finance markets.