Ant Group Files AntCoin Trademark in Hong Kong Amid Mainland Stablecoin Restrictions
Ant Group, the fintech giant behind Alipay, has quietly advanced its digital asset ambitions with a June 2025 trademark filing for "AntCoin" in Hong Kong. The application covers stablecoin issuance and blockchain-based financial services—a strategic pivot after Beijing reportedly blocked similar initiatives by ANT and JD.com on the mainland.
The trademark's emergence coincides with Ant Chairman Eric Jing's scheduled appearance at Hong Kong FinTech Week, where he'll share the stage with government officials. The filing positions AntCoin as a potential bridge between Alipay's 1.3 billion users and Hong Kong's Web3 ecosystem, which implemented a stablecoin licensing framework in August.
Observers note the move reflects Hong Kong's growing role as a sandbox for Chinese fintechs navigating crypto restrictions at home. "This isn't just trademark speculation—it's infrastructure preparation," said a blockchain analyst, pointing to the application's inclusion of digital asset custody and cross-border settlement services.