Ant Group and Circle Partner to Launch USDC on Global Blockchain Network

Highlights:

• Ant Group and Circle have partnered to bring USDC to Ant’s blockchain network for faster global payments.
• Ant plans to use USDC once it meets US compliance rules and is seeking stablecoin licenses in key markets.
• Circle gains access to Alipay’s large user base while Ant expands its digital currency services with USDC.

Ant Group and Circle have partnered to bring USD Coin (USDC) onto Ant’s blockchain payment platform. This move will allow Ant to support stablecoin-based transactions across its international services. Circle’s USDC will become part of Ant’s network once it meets compliance requirements in the United States.

According to Bloomberg, Ant International, a subsidiary of China’s largest internet finance company Ant Group, is partnering with Circle to integrate the USDC stablecoin into its blockchain platform, with formal adoption to follow upon completion of U.S. compliance requirements.…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 10, 2025

This development signals a major step for Ant International, the company’s overseas unit. Although the timeline remains unclear, both companies have started preparations for the integration. The share price of Circle rose by 3.8% in pre-market trading after the news. In addition, the share is up 89.48% in the past month.

Ant Group, the owner of payment platform Alipay, processed more than $1 trillion in global payments last year, according to Bloomberg. Around one-third of these transactions took place on its blockchain system. By adding USDC, the company plans to offer faster and cheaper cross-border settlements.

Ant Group and Circle Partner to Expand Digital Currency Access

The Ant Group and Circle deal reflects a growing interest in regulated stablecoins. Ant has shifted its focus to global markets after facing pressure in mainland China. The company’s overseas business earned nearly $3 billion last year. Ant now plans to spin off this unit and prepare it for a public listing.

Analysts expect the IPO could value the business between $8 billion and $24 billion. The new partnership will help Ant strengthen its services for cross-border payments. USDC offers a secure dollar-pegged asset that works well in blockchain-based finance. This allows Ant to bypass traditional financial systems when moving funds internationally.

Alipay’s user base includes more than 1.3 billion people. Adding USDC to this network may boost stablecoin usage in daily payments and merchant transactions. Circle also gains access to this vast network across Asia. Meanwhile, Ant, an affiliate company of Alibaba Group, is preparing to apply for stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg. These countries are introducing new frameworks that support stablecoin issuance and use.

New Stablecoin Rules Could Speed Integration

Hong Kong will launch a stablecoin licensing system on August 1. The new system requires issuers to hold full asset reserves and follow anti-money laundering rules. Ant plans to join the program as soon as it opens. Meanwhile, the United States Senate passed the GENIUS Act in June and is awaiting the House vote.

Circle wants to make USDC a tool for global banks and financial institutions. The stablecoin issuer recently applied with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish First National Digital Currency Bank. The approval will help to grow its stablecoin. In addition, the issuer partnered with crypto exchange OKX to simplify stablecoin access and improve liquidity for USD and USDC by allowing direct 1:1 conversions between USD and USDC without charging any trading fees.

Ant will also explore other digital currencies, including tokenized deposits and central bank digital currencies. The company believes stablecoins can help modernize its financial services in key markets.