An affiliate of Alibaba, Ant Group, has officially filed a trademark for “AntCoin” in Hong Kong. This giant leap by Ant Group hints at the company’s potential cryptocurrency or digital asset ambition.
In September 2021, China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), declared all crypto-related transactions illegal in China. The crackdown worsened into a full ban on all crypto trading and mining activities in the country.
The central bank claimed that the ban is to prevent economic instability, lower energy costs, and curtail financial crime. However, Hong Kong embraced virtual assets and cryptocurrency. Hong Kong permits crypto trading but applies stringent rules, licensing, and a regulatory framework.
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) oversees virtual assets, while the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) focuses on stablecoins.
On Monday, October 27, 2025, Alibaba Affiliate Ant Group filed a series of trademark registrations in Hong Kong related to blockchain, stablecoins, and virtual assets, including “ANTCOIN,” according to the Hong Kong Economic Journal.
While the trademark filing has not confirmed the launch of any digital asset yet, it shows that Ant Group is potentially preparing legal groundwork to merge its Alipay ecosystem with regulated Web3 and stablecoin infrastructure.
- Ant Group has applied for a series of trademarks related to blockchain, stablecoin, and virtual assets, including AntCoin, in Hong Kong.
- The registration suggested the possibility of Ant Group’s expansion into new crypto-related business areas beyond its existing payment system.
- Industry experts predicted that this move could be an early stage of Web3 and fintech business development.
- The filing comes shortly after Alibaba and Ant Group planned to purchase office space in Hong Kong for their new headquarters.
The trademark registration has drawn significant attention on social media, with many suggesting possible plans to expand into blockchain-based financial services and stablecoins.
Recently, Alibaba Group Holding and Ant Group have been making plans to purchase office space in Hong Kong for their new headquarters. Alibaba and Ant will pay Mandarin Oriental International Group about HKD7.2B (USD92M) for office space on several floors at One Causeway Bay.
Industry experts see these trademark filings as a preliminary indication of key business diversification. Therefore, some potential business ventures include tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) and seamless cross-border payment options.
Some suggested that ANTCOIN might change with time to become a stablecoin or utility token. If this plan materializes, the entire Alipay ecosystem would greatly improve for global crypto integrations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Ant Group?
Ant Group is an affiliate of e-commerce giant Alibaba and the parent company of Alipay, a giant online and mobile payment platform. The company offers financial services to consumers globally.
What is AntCoin?
Ant Group specified the name “AntCoin” in its trademark filing in Hong Kong in June 2025. Currently, AntCoin is not a live product, but it could be a potential crypto asset from Ant Group in the future.
What did the trademark filing cover?
Ant Group’s trademark filings cover a wide range of financial activities, including blockchain-based settlement, stablecoin issuance, digital-asset custody, and traditional banking, lending, and foreign exchange (FX) services.
Why was Ant Group’s trademark filing made in Hong Kong and not mainland China?
Ant Group’s move is strategic as it aligns with Hong Kong’s current crypto-friendly regulatory environment, unlike mainland China, where there is a full ban on cryptocurrency trading.
