Jack Ma’s Ant International Sets Sights on Stablecoin Licenses in Asia

Ant International plans to secure stablecoin licenses in Singapore and Hong Kong, signaling a bold move into blockchain finance.

Jack Ma’s fintech arm, Ant International, is working to get licensed as a stablecoin issuer in Hong Kong and Singapore, with Luxembourg also being considered. This step comes as both Asian financial hubs finalize their new frameworks for regulating stablecoins backed by fiat currency.

Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Ordinance is set to take effect on August 1, 2025, requiring any issuer of fiat-backed stablecoins to get licensed. Meanwhile, Singapore has already wrapped up its own rules for stablecoins pegged to a single currency, creating clearer paths for fintech companies to launch digital tokens legally.

Ant International hopes to use stablecoins in global financial operations, including cross-border payments and corporate treasury management. In fact, one-third of the company’s $1 trillion in worldwide transactions last year were handled via its blockchain-powered platform, Whale.

This push into stablecoins reflects Ant Group’s growing ambition to expand its fintech services across borders. It also shows increasing trust in governments’ ability to regulate the crypto space. On top of this, Ant International is reportedly considering a stock listing in Hong Kong, a sign the company is preparing for bigger global exposure.