Official refutation! Ant Group denies collaboration with Circle and has no plans to introduce USDC.

Recently, there have been rumors in the market that Ant International plans to integrate Circle's stablecoin USDC into its global platform. However, Ant International quickly clarified this news on July 10. Ant International explicitly stated: "The media reports are inaccurate, and there is currently no such plan." This denial not only refutes market rumors but also provides clearer clues for Ant International's strategic layout in the stablecoin field.

Ant International Clarification: There are currently no plans to introduce USDC

Despite market reports indicating that Ant International, as the global business division of Ant Group, plans to implement this integration after obtaining compliance for USDC in the United States, Ant International's official response directly denied this claim. This suggests that, at least at the current stage, Ant International has not included USDC in its considerations for stablecoin strategy.

A stablecoin is a type of digital asset designed to maintain a stable value, usually pegged to another currency, and is crucial for the functioning of the cryptocurrency market. Following the passage of relevant regulatory legislation by the U.S. Senate in June, stablecoins are gaining greater acceptance in the market.

Ant International's stablecoin and blockchain layout

Although Ant International denies collaborating with Circle, its layout in the stablecoin and blockchain fields is active and clear.

Introducing more regulated cryptocurrencies: Ant International is planning to introduce more regulated cryptocurrencies, such as Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) and tokenized deposits, to its blockchain. Ant's blockchain technology currently supports its fund management and cross-border payment services.

Massive transaction processing volume: Sources revealed that Ant Group processed over 1 trillion USD in global transactions last year, with one-third handled by its blockchain. This demonstrates that Ant's blockchain platform has the capacity for large-scale processing in practical applications.

Actively applying for stablecoin licenses: Ant International is seeking to apply for stablecoin licenses in Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as related permits in Luxembourg. This indicates that Ant Group is actively striving for compliance qualifications in the issuance and operation of stablecoins globally.

Extensive banking partnerships: Ant's blockchain platform currently supports a variety of tokenized assets from banks and institutions worldwide, and has signed cooperation agreements with over 10 global banks, including HSBC, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase, and Standard Chartered.

Ant Group's Strategic Transformation and Globalization

Since the IPO was halted in 2020, Ant Group has continued to develop new businesses to drive growth. Ant International has established an independent board of directors to lay the foundation for its spin-off and potential IPO. This unit has achieved adjusted profits for two consecutive years, and its asset management business has demonstrated significant growth potential due to handling a large volume of transactions.

According to Bloomberg, Ant Group's international business department, supported by Jack Ma, is planning to apply for stablecoin licenses in Singapore and Hong Kong. Sources say that Ant International, headquartered in Singapore, will immediately apply for a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong after the "Stablecoins Ordinance" comes into effect in August. In addition to Singapore, the company also plans to seek permission in Luxembourg. Sources indicate that this move aims to strengthen the company's blockchain business to support its cross-border payment and fund management services.

With the popularity of cryptocurrencies, many financial and technology giants are gradually entering this field, such as PayPal, which launched a stablecoin in 2023. As a global fintech giant, Ant Group's layout in the stablecoin and blockchain fields will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the global payment and financial markets.

Ant Group denied rumors of collaboration with Circle, clarifying its stance on stablecoin strategy. Nevertheless, Ant Group's active layout in the blockchain and regulated cryptocurrency sectors, as well as its efforts to apply for stablecoin licenses globally, demonstrate its immense ambition in the digital finance era. In the future, how Ant Group will leverage its extensive blockchain platform and global collaboration network to promote the development of regulated stablecoins is worth continuous attention.