Jack Ma’s Ant Group Joins Circle to Bring USDC to Blockchain

Jack Ma-backed Ant Group is stepping deeper into the global crypto game and it’s doing it with USDC!

Yes, according to a Bloomberg report, Ant’s international arm is partnering with Circle to bring the popular stablecoin onto its blockchain platform. The move reflects a broader shift for the Chinese fintech giant, which is now focused on regulated digital assets and cross-border payments.

The integration will begin once USDC clears U.S. compliance requirements. A timeline hasn’t been announced yet, but the partnership is already drawing attention. Circle shares rose 3.8% in pre-market trading following the news.

A Big Win for Circle

For Circle, this deal adds another major name to its growing list of global partners. It comes just days after the company announced a new integration with OKX, one of the world’s largest exchanges, giving over 60 million users easier access to USDC across 12 different blockchains.

Circle has been pushing hard to expand its stablecoin in regulated markets, especially after the U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act – the first major bill focused on stablecoin regulation. The company is also working on a global payments network to help banks and institutions settle cross-border transactions using USDC.

With Ant Group on board, Circle’s push into Asia is getting a serious boost.

Ant’s New Global Game Plan

This is a strategic step for Ant, whose global unit, Ant International, is being groomed for a spinoff and future IPO. In 2024, the division brought in nearly $3 billion in revenue, and analysts estimate a potential IPO valuation between $8 billion and $24 billion.

Now, the company is actively preparing to apply for stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg.

After years of regulatory pressure in China and the suspension of its 2020 IPO, Ant is rebuilding – this time with a focus on digital currencies, tokenized bank deposits, and central bank digital currencies.

Why Circle Is Betting on Regulation

USDC may still be smaller than Tether in market cap, but Circle is betting on regulation.

While Tether faces ongoing scrutiny in Europe and Asia, Circle is leaning into compliance and forming partnerships that open up new markets.

The stablecoin race is heating up and this is an interesting move for sure.