Ant International Taps Circle to Bring USDC to Its Global Blockchain Network

Jack Ma’s financial empire is regaining momentum. Ant International, the international branch of the Chinese giant Ant Group, formerly a subsidiary of Alibaba, is preparing to integrate Circle’s USDC into its blockchain. A strategic move that could reshuffle the cards in the global digital payments ecosystem.

Ant International backed by Jack Ma is preparing to welcome USDC

Ant International is making a strong move. Indeed, Jack Ma’s subsidiary is negotiating with Circle Internet Group to integrate USDC into its AntChain blockchain platform. This decision comes as the Chinese group already processes more than 1 trillion dollars in annual transactions, with a third passing through its proprietary blockchain.

The stakes are considerable. Today, USDC represents around 62 billion dollars in circulation, positioning itself as the second largest stablecoin worldwide after Tether’s USDT.

For Ant, this integration would open direct access to a stable and regulated payment infrastructure, particularly attractive for its treasury and cross-border settlement services.

The timing is no coincidence. The U.S. Senate adopted last June a law establishing clear rules for dollar-indexed cryptocurrencies. This regulatory clarification boosted optimism around stablecoins, with Circle being one of the main beneficiaries of this momentum, seeing its stock rise by 5.4%.

Moreover, Ant’s strategy revolves around a clear vision: to offer “regulated crypto rails” to its clients. The company already collaborates with more than ten international banks, including HSBC, JPMorgan, and Standard Chartered, to develop tokenized assets on its blockchain.

Towards a Redefinition of the Digital Payments Landscape

This collaboration fits within a broader trend where stablecoins are gaining ground against traditional payment systems.

As highlighted in a recent analysis, these digital assets now surpass Visa and Mastercard in on-chain transaction volume, gradually becoming “the default settlement layer” of the Web.

Thus, for Ant International, integrating USDC represents much more than a simple technological addition. It is a key piece in its diversification strategy after the regulatory setbacks in 2020 that abruptly halted its record IPO.

Since then, the international unit has set up an independent board of directors and generated nearly 3 billion dollars in revenue in 2024.

According to Bloomberg Intelligence, Ant International could reach a valuation between 8 and 24 billion dollars in a potential listing in Hong Kong.

This outlook partly explains the company’s eagerness to obtain stablecoin licenses in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, Circle continues its expansion. After its IPO in June, the company has multiplied partnerships with providers such as OKX and Stripe, while applying for a national banking license in the USA. A deal with Ant would allow it to open its stablecoin to one of the largest payment networks outside the United States.

A Silent Revolution Underway

The agreement between Ant and Circle signals a profound transformation in the financial sector. Stablecoins are no longer just crypto trading tools; they are becoming the foundational infrastructure for a new international payment system.

Walmart and Amazon are among the companies considering issuing their own stablecoins, while giants like PayPal have already taken the plunge.

However, this development raises significant regulatory questions. Global authorities are seeking to regulate this rapidly growing sector, concerned about the risks of collapse and money laundering.

Yet, according to Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary under Donald Trump, stablecoins could represent over 2,000 billion dollars by 2028, provided clear laws are enacted.

In this perspective, Ant International’s bet is clear: to become a central player in this monetary revolution. By integrating Circle’s USDC into its services, Jack Ma’s company could well redraw the rules of the game in a sector where speed, compliance, and innovation now reign supreme.