Ant International, the global unit of Jack Ma-backed fintech giant Ant Group, is set to significantly expand its footprint in the digital currency space, with plans to apply for stablecoin licenses in key financial hubs across Asia and Europe. This strategic move signals Ant’s deepening commitment to blockchain technology as a cornerstone of its international growth, particularly as the company navigates a evolving regulatory landscape and seeks new avenues beyond its traditional fintech operations.
According to a Bloomberg report, Ant International, headquartered in Singapore, intends to file for stablecoin issuer licenses in Hong Kong immediately upon the implementation of the city’s new Stablecoins Ordinance in August 2025. The company is also actively pursuing permits in Singapore and Luxembourg, aiming to establish a strong presence in these leading global financial centers.
This aggressive expansion comes as Ant International, which processed over $1 trillion in global transactions last year, seeks to leverage its existing infrastructure and expertise in cross-border payments. A substantial portion of this volume, approximately $333 billion in 2024, was already handled through the company’s blockchain-based Whale platform, demonstrating a robust foundation for digital asset operations, as reported by Bloomberg.
Cross-border payment and treasury management services
Ant’s stablecoin initiative is designed to enhance its cross-border payment and treasury management services. The Whale platform currently supports multiple tokenized assets from banks and institutions worldwide, utilizing advanced privacy computing technologies, including homomorphic encryption and multiparty verification systems. This technological backbone is expected to significantly improve the efficiency and transparency of fund transfers.
The timing of Ant International’s push is strategic, aiming to capitalize on the growing institutional adoption of stablecoins, a market that has reached an estimated $243 billion as of May. The company’s extensive network of banking relationships provides a strong launchpad for its stablecoin ambitions. Ant already has collaboration agreements in place with over 10 major global banks, including HSBC, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase, and Standard Chartered. Further solidifying its financial partnerships, Ant recently announced a strategic partnership with Deutsche Bank on June 8, 2025, for payment solutions and treasury management.
