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Alibaba's Ant Group Positions for Crypto Entry With Hong Kong Trademark

Jamie Larson

Oct 27, 2025 — 3 min read

Ant Group filed a trademark application for "AntCoin" in Hong Kong in June 2025, according to Coinpedia. The trademark covers banking, lending, foreign exchange, blockchain settlement, digital-asset custody, and stablecoin issuance. Alibaba's fintech division operates Alipay, which serves over one billion users worldwide.

The filing does not confirm an actual token launch. However, it shows the company is preparing to blend traditional payments with blockchain infrastructure. Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing will speak at Hong Kong FinTech Week alongside Christopher Hui, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services. The event will focus heavily on Web3 and cryptocurrency themes this year.

Regulatory Environment Drives Decision

Hong Kong launched its stablecoin licensing regime on August 1, 2025, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The framework requires issuers to obtain licenses and maintain full reserve backing. Minimum capital requirements stand at HKD 25 million for licensed entities. Stablecoin holders receive priority access to reserves if an issuer becomes insolvent.

Ant Group's trademark timing aligns with this regulatory shift. The company can now explore opportunities under clear legal guidelines. CoinDesk reports the filing spans nearly all major financial activities. This positions AntCoin as a bridge between Ant's payments ecosystem and Hong Kong's regulated Web3 economy.

Beijing instructed Ant Group to pause stablecoin plans in mainland China during October 2025. The mainland government cited concerns about capital flight and financial stability. However, Hong Kong operates under different regulations as a special administrative region. This creates opportunities for companies to test blockchain services within a controlled environment.

Market Transformation in Asia

Monthly stablecoin transaction volumes between businesses surged to over $3 billion by early 2025, according to CNBC. This represents growth from under $100 million at the start of 2023. Singapore and Hong Kong rank among the top three markets for stablecoin flows globally.

Businesses across Asia increasingly use stablecoins for cross-border transactions. Online travel agencies, luxury goods resellers, and high-end hotels cite speed and cost advantages. Traditional bank transfers take several days and incur steep fees. Stablecoin transactions complete nearly instantaneously at lower costs.

Asia's broader cryptocurrency adoption continues to accelerate. India leads the region with $338 billion in transaction volume during 2025. South Asia saw crypto activity jump 80% compared to 2024. Japan experienced 120% growth in blockchain value received over the same period.

Major payment processors including Visa, Mastercard, and Stripe integrated stablecoin support into their payment infrastructure during 2025. Circle's successful IPO and U.S. regulatory developments sparked broader interest across Asian markets. The region accounts for more than half of global stablecoin transaction corridors involving the United States.

Strategic Positioning for Web3 Era

Ant Group previously launched blockchain pilot projects for supply chains and cross-border payments. The company introduced its Web3 brand ZAN in 2023. ZAN provides blockchain development services targeting institutional and individual Web3 developers. The platform offers electronic KYC procedures, AML protocols, and smart contract evaluations.

If Ant Group launches AntCoin, it could accelerate mainstream crypto adoption. Alipay's massive user base provides immediate distribution for digital currency services. The company processed USDC-based cross-border payment pilots with Circle during July 2025. Ant Group also tokenized $8 billion in energy assets through blockchain platforms in September 2025.

The trademark filing ensures flexibility for future branding and technology development. Hong Kong's regulatory framework allows licensed issuers to serve both institutional and retail investors. Ant Group's valuation stands at approximately $80-100 billion based on its digital payments and blockchain operations.

Traditional fintech companies worldwide are preparing for digital finance transformation. With Hong Kong positioning itself as a crypto innovation center, Ant's move could reshape payment systems across Asia. The company's next steps depend on mainland China's evolving stance toward digital assets and cross-border financial flows.