**Ant Group Files Trademark Application for “AntCoin” in Hong Kong Amid Regulatory Shifts**
Ant Group, the Alibaba-affiliated fintech giant behind Alipay, has filed a trademark application for “AntCoin” in Hong Kong as of June 2025. The filing covers a broad range of financial services, including stablecoin issuance, digital asset custody, traditional banking activities, and blockchain-based settlement systems. This move signals Ant Group’s strategic intention to connect its existing payment ecosystem with Hong Kong’s emerging Web3 economy.
### Timing and Industry Context
The trademark application surfaced publicly this month on crypto-focused social media channels, coinciding with Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing’s scheduled appearance at Hong Kong FinTech Week. Jing is set to speak alongside key figures such as Hong Kong’s Secretary for Financial Services Christopher Hui and Primavera Capital’s Fred Hu. The event features a notably crypto-centric agenda, reflecting the city’s growing emphasis on digital assets and blockchain technologies.
### Comprehensive Scope of the AntCoin Trademark
Ant Group’s trademark application is extensive, covering:
– Stablecoin issuance and operations
– Digital asset custody services
– Traditional banking functions like lending and foreign exchange
– Blockchain-based settlement systems
– Loyalty reward programs
This all-encompassing approach indicates the company’s ambition to seamlessly bridge Alipay’s vast mobile payment infrastructure with Hong Kong’s regulated digital asset market.
### Regulatory Landscape: Hong Kong vs. Mainland China
Hong Kong recently implemented a new stablecoin licensing regime in August 2025, aiming to foster a regulated and crypto-friendly environment. Ant Group has previously expressed interest in exploring the city’s regulatory framework for stablecoins. This trademark filing appears to be a tangible step toward engaging with Hong Kong’s licensed digital asset ecosystem.
In contrast, Beijing has taken a more restrictive stance on stablecoins, reportedly blocking Ant Group’s and JD.com’s stablecoin initiatives in mainland China just weeks prior. Hong Kong’s more permissive approach has positioned it as an attractive hub for fintech firms looking to expand into crypto and Web3.
### What This Means for Ant Group and Digital Finance
While the trademark application itself does not confirm that Ant Group will launch a token or stablecoin under the “AntCoin” name, it grants legal protection across a wide spectrum of financial services. Given Ant Group’s massive user base via Alipay — one of the world’s largest mobile payment platforms — extending its infrastructure into blockchain-based financial products could mark a significant new business direction.
The comprehensive nature of the trademark allows Ant Group flexibility in how it may choose to deploy the AntCoin brand in the future, depending on regulatory approvals and market conditions.
### Looking Ahead
Eric Jing’s participation in Hong Kong FinTech Week and the timing of the AntCoin trademark filing underscore Ant Group’s commitment to navigating the evolving digital asset space, despite regulatory setbacks in mainland China. As Hong Kong continues to build its reputation as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction with clear licensing frameworks, Ant Group’s moves may signal broader trends in how established fintech companies engage with blockchain technologies.
At present, Ant Group has not disclosed specific plans or timelines for an AntCoin product launch. The trademark filing remains the primary concrete indicator of their blockchain-related ambitions within Hong Kong’s increasingly vibrant digital asset scene.
https://coincentral.com/ant-group-files-antcoin-trademark-in-hong-kong-following-beijing-stablecoin-rejection/
