Key Takeaways
- Alibaba’s Ant Group is working with Circle to bring USDC into its blockchain network.
- The move could dramatically expand USDC’s reach, especially in Asia.
- Ant has applied for stablecoin licenses in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The stablecoin race just got a major player.
As global demand for regulated, transparent stablecoins grows, Alibaba’s Ant Group is reportedly working with Circle to bring USDC, the second-largest stablecoin, into its blockchain ecosystem.
The partnership could open the door to one of the world’s largest financial networks.
But it’s not just about payments, it’s about compliance, global access, and reshaping the future of cross-border finance.
Ant International To Integrate USDC
According to a Bloomberg report , Ant International, the global-facing arm of Alibaba’s Ant Group, is discussing integrating USDC into its blockchain infrastructure.
Final confirmation is expected once regulatory compliance hurdles in the U.S. are cleared.
Ant’s blockchain already processes a third of the $1 trillion in transactions it handled last year.
Plugging USDC into this system could be a game-changer, offering users a seamless, regulated bridge between fiat and digital assets across borders.
If the integration is successful, USDC could significantly narrow the gap with Tether’s USDT, the current stablecoin leader with over $150 billion in circulation.
USDC, by comparison, has around $60 billion, but it boasts stronger regulatory alignment and transparency, which are increasingly critical for institutional clients.
Ant’s push for compliance across Asia and Europe, combined with Circle’s U.S. regulatory track record, positions the two to build a high-trust global payment network tailor-made for enterprise use.
The Stablecoin Craze Gains Momentum
The Ant-Circle collaboration comes as the stablecoin market is heating up—not just among crypto-native companies but also among global financial giants.
Ant International has reportedly filed for stablecoin licenses in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Luxembourg, showing a clear intent to roll out compliant stablecoin services across key jurisdictions.
And they’re not alone.
Standard Chartered
Through a joint venture with Animoca Brands and HKT, the bank has applied for a stablecoin issuance license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) under the city’s new Stablecoins Ordinance.
Bank of America
In early 2025, CEO Brian Moynihan confirmed the bank is actively exploring a USD-backed stablecoin, with filings possibly heading to the NYDFS or OCC.
Societe Generale (SG-FORGE)
SG-FORGE, the bank’s crypto-focused arm, secured an EMI license under MiCA to issue the EURCV stablecoin.
It also announced plans to launch USD CoinVertible on Ethereum and Solana, with public trading expected in July 2025.
