Fintech giant Ant International eyes crypto payment expansion
Ant International stablecoin license plans are making headlines as the fintech arm of Jack Ma’s Ant Group moves toward regulated crypto payment adoption. According to Bloomberg, the company intends to apply for a stablecoin license in Hong Kong following the city’s new regulatory framework, which takes effect in August 2025.
Ant International, based in Singapore, also plans to seek similar licenses in Singapore and Luxembourg. These moves reflect a growing interest among traditional fintech firms in entering the regulated stablecoin space.
Hong Kong’s stablecoin framework sets stage
The announcement comes after Hong Kong passed its Stablecoin Ordinance bill on May 21. The law, effective August 1, will require issuers of fiat-backed stablecoins to be licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
- Issuers must comply with HKMA regulations
- Penalties for noncompliance can reach up to $640,000 (HK$5 million)
- The framework aims to ensure stablecoin safety and prevent misuse
We expect these rules to shape a more secure ecosystem for digital payments and on-chain financial infrastructure.
Ant International eyes stablecoins for payments and treasury use
Ant International stablecoin license applications are part of a broader effort to enhance its global financial infrastructure. The company reportedly plans to use stablecoins for:
- Cross-border payments
- Treasury management
- E-commerce settlements via its affiliate, Alibaba
In 2024 alone, Ant processed one-third of its $1 trillion global transactions through its blockchain-based Whale platform. This data indicates a growing reliance on decentralized infrastructure for traditional financial flows.
Stablecoins may be the next crypto growth driver
The push by Ant International aligns with a broader trend in the crypto space. Stablecoin market capitalization has now surpassed $250 billion for the first time, with predictions that it could exceed $1 trillion by the end of 2025.
According to CoinFund’s David Pakman, stablecoins could serve as the long-awaited catalyst for mainstream blockchain adoption. As more regulated institutions like Ant International seek stablecoin licenses, investors are expected to grow more interested in the sector.
