Ant International, led by Jack Ma, is preparing to enter the regulated stablecoin market by applying for licenses in key jurisdictions.
Strategic Shift by Ant International
Ant International, the overseas arm of Ant Group, aims to obtain stablecoin issuer licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg. This decision reflects the growing maturity of crypto regulation and the increasing confidence of fintech in blockchain infrastructure. Hong Kong's upcoming Stablecoins Ordinance, set to take effect in August 2025, mandates that issuers obtain licenses, highlighting Ant's proactive approach to new standards.
Whale Platform as a Fundamental Strategy
A central element of Ant International's stablecoin expansion is the Whale platform, which incorporates blockchain-based infrastructure. It processes over one-third of the company's annual transaction volume of $1 trillion. Whale supports tokenized assets and facilitates secure financial operations using technologies such as homomorphic encryption and artificial intelligence.
Growth of the Stablecoin Market
The global stablecoin market reached a supply of $243 billion as of May 2025 and is expected to surpass the $1 trillion mark by the end of the year. This growth is seen as a key catalyst for broader adoption of cryptocurrency. As new entrants like PayPal’s PYUSD join the market, Ant International seeks to establish its position by demonstrating compliance with regulatory standards.
Ant International's moves under Jack Ma's leadership towards stablecoin licensing signal a profound integration of cryptocurrency and fintech, potentially marking a new phase in the evolution of financial technology.
