Official announcement of the 'rare earth stablecoin' project on August 5, 2025

On August 1, Ant Group, in collaboration with the People's Bank of China and the China Rare Earth Group, officially launched the world's first rare earth-backed stablecoin—RESDC (Rare Earth Special Renminbi). This is not only China's first stablecoin supported by the central bank but may also become an important milestone in the history of digital currency development.

1. Ant Group's stablecoin: Innovation in technology and finance

As China's leading fintech company, Ant Group's collaboration with the central bank to launch RESDC is primarily based on its blockchain technology (Ant Chain). This technology ensures:

✅ Transactions completed in seconds (traditional cross-border payments take 3-5 days)

✅ Costs reduced by 80% (reducing intermediaries like banks and SWIFT)

✅ 100% transparent and traceable (each transaction corresponds to real rare earth trade)

This means that when Chinese companies export rare earths, overseas buyers can pay directly with RESDC, with funds arriving in real time, without worrying about exchange rate fluctuations or high fees.



2. The uniqueness of rare earth stablecoins: dual anchoring mechanism

Ordinary stablecoins (such as USDT) usually peg only to the US dollar or gold, while RESDC adopts a 'renminbi + rare earth' dual support:

- 1 RESDC = 1 yuan (backed by central bank reserves)

- Corresponds to a certain amount of rare earth reserves (such as praseodymium, neodymium, and other key metals)

This design makes RESDC not only a payment tool but also a 'strategic resource digital currency,' which may change the settlement methods of global commodity trade.

3. Impact on the digital currency market

(1) Challenging the hegemony of US dollar stablecoins

Currently, 90% of stablecoins (such as USDT, USDC) are pegged to the US dollar, while the emergence of RESDC means that the renminbi has established its own stablecoin system in the digital currency field for the first time. If key minerals like lithium and cobalt also adopt similar models in the future, the US dollar's dominant position in digital payments may be weakened.

(2) Promoting the internationalization of 'digital renminbi (e-CNY)'

RESDC can be seamlessly exchanged with digital renminbi. Overseas companies may be forced to hold renminbi assets to purchase Chinese rare earths, thereby accelerating the internationalization process of the renminbi.

(3) May trigger global regulatory concerns

The United States and the European Union may strengthen regulations on stablecoins and even launch their own 'resource stablecoins' (such as oil stablecoins). The future digital currency market may form a competitive landscape of 'US dollar stablecoins vs. renminbi stablecoins.'

4. Impact on ordinary people

Although RESDC is currently only used for corporate trade settlements, its success may bring about the following changes:

🔹 The renminbi becomes more valuable: If more global transactions are settled in RESDC, the demand for renminbi will rise, and the exchange rate may become more stable.

🔹 Chinese technology companies benefit: Blockchain companies like Ant Group may gain more international recognition, driving up related stocks and digital currency concepts.

🔹 Individuals may be able to invest in the future: If RESDC opens for secondary market trading, it may become a new digital asset investment target (but policy risks should be noted).



5. Future prospects: Is digital currency entering the 'resource anchoring' era?

The launch of RESDC marks that digital currency is no longer just a virtual asset, but is beginning to be deeply integrated with the real economy (rare earths, energy, etc.). If this model is successful, the future may see:

- Oil stablecoin (issued by Middle Eastern countries)

- Lithium stablecoin (issued by South American countries)

- Grain stablecoin (issued by agricultural countries)

This will fundamentally change the global financial system, and China, leveraging its rare earth advantages, has taken the first step.

The rare earth stablecoin (RESDC) developed by Ant Group in collaboration with the central bank is not only an important breakthrough for China in the digital currency field but may also become a key weapon in the internationalization of the renminbi and the competition for global resource pricing power. Although ordinary people cannot participate directly for now, its success will influence the value of the renminbi, the performance of tech stocks, and even future investment opportunities in digital currencies.