HONG KONG – October 28, 2025 (Market Insider) — Ant Group, the fintech powerhouse linked to billionaire Jack Ma’s Alibaba, has quietly filed for a trademark called “ANTCOIN” in Hong Kong, signaling a potential re-entry into the digital asset and stablecoin arena despite Beijing’s tight scrutiny of privately issued currencies.
According to the Hong Kong Economic Times, Ant Group submitted multiple trademark applications in June related to virtual assets, stablecoins, and blockchain technology, including “ANTCOIN,” which covers a wide range of digital finance services — from online payments and e-wallets to stablecoin issuance and token transactions.
The filing, now under review by Hong Kong’s Intellectual Property Department, comes as the city races to establish itself as Asia’s next crypto hub, offering a more open regulatory stance compared to mainland China’s restrictive policies.
A Strategic Move Amid Tight Regulations
Legal experts view Ant Group’s move as a defensive but strategic step to secure intellectual property rights and maintain flexibility in the fast-evolving digital asset sector.
“This is a smart preemptive move,” said Joshua Chu, Co-Chair of the Web3 Hong Kong Association. “Even if their stablecoin plans are on hold, Ant Group is protecting its brand in anticipation of a more favorable environment.”
Beijing’s regulators previously ordered major tech firms, including Ant Group and JD.com, to pause their stablecoin projects amid concerns over private companies issuing currency-like instruments. Both firms had earlier expressed interest in Hong Kong’s stablecoin pilot program, exploring tokenized bonds and asset-backed digital products.
Hong Kong’s Web3 Push Faces Growing Pains
While Hong Kong has rolled out clearer crypto regulations, the sector faces increasing fraud risks. Chu warned that fake stablecoins mimicking USDT are proliferating, with scammers deploying “high-fidelity copycat contracts” to trick investors.
“These are exactly the kinds of risks companies like Ant Group will need to mitigate if they re-enter the stablecoin space,” Chu noted. “Trademark protection is part of responsible risk management.”
Ant Group’s Blockchain Pivot
Despite regulatory headwinds, Ant Group has continued to expand its blockchain footprint as part of its fintech transformation strategy.
In July, it partnered with Circle, the U.S. issuer of USDC, to test cross-border payments using stablecoins via the Alipay+ network operated by Ant International. Two months later, Ant Digital Technologies, another subsidiary, launched a blockchain platform for tokenizing energy assets in China — linking an estimated $8 billion worth of infrastructure to blockchain networks.
The “ANTCOIN” filing suggests that Ant Group is keeping its options open for a future stablecoin or tokenized financial product, positioning itself for a new wave of digital finance innovation once policy conditions become favorable.
As one analyst told Market Insider:
“Ant Group isn’t launching a cryptocurrency tomorrow — it’s securing the future. When China inevitably defines its digital asset policy more clearly, Ant wants to be first in line.”
