Ant Group's foray into crypto finance: What signals are being sent by the dual license layout in Hong Kong and Singapore?
On June 12, news emerged that Ant Group's international department is planning to apply for stablecoin-related licenses in Hong Kong and Singapore, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. This means that Ant is not only laying out its traditional fintech business but also directly entering the Web3 and digital currency arena.
Hong Kong and Singapore are known as "crypto-friendly jurisdictions," seeking to balance global stablecoin regulation and innovation. Ant's move is interpreted by outsiders as: China's tech giant is entering the crypto world through a "curved path," bypassing the mainland's strict regulations on virtual assets while attempting to seize the initiative in compliant stablecoin development in the Asia-Pacific region.
It is worth noting that Ant Group has previously optimized its tax structure by establishing entities in places like the Caribbean and Luxembourg. Now, by turning its attention to Web3 and stablecoins, it is clearly not just about fintech expansion, but a crucial step in racing ahead in the next round of global financial infrastructure reform. #X平台封号
📌 Comment:
Ant's recent operations are quite "smart" and "bold." As the global regulatory framework is still taking shape, it has chosen to enter from the most "institutionally relaxed + financially friendly" regions, paving the way for a possible global stablecoin clearing network in the future. The question remains—this time, is it a disguised entry into crypto, or is it laying out a grand strategy for cross-border digital currency payments?