Ant Group Files AntCoin Trademark in Hong Kong Following Beijing Stablecoin Rejection

TLDR

• Ant Group filed a trademark application for “AntCoin” in Hong Kong in June 2025, covering financial services including stablecoin issuance and digital asset custody
• The trademark filing emerged publicly just before Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing speaks at Hong Kong FinTech Week alongside government officials
• The application spans traditional banking services and blockchain-based settlement, positioning it as a bridge between Alipay and Hong Kong’s Web3 economy
• The filing follows Ant Group’s earlier statement exploring Hong Kong’s new stablecoin licensing regime that took effect in August
• News of the trademark surfaced weeks after Beijing reportedly shut down stablecoin initiatives by Ant Group and JD.com in mainland China

Ant Group, the Alibaba-affiliated fintech company that operates Alipay, has filed a trademark application for AntCoin in Hong Kong. The June 2025 filing covers a wide range of financial services including stablecoin issuance and digital asset custody.

The trademark application became public this month on crypto social media. The timing coincides with Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing’s scheduled appearance at Hong Kong FinTech Week. Jing will speak alongside Hong Kong’s Secretary for Financial Services Christopher Hui and Primavera Capital’s Fred Hu.

The AntCoin trademark filing includes specifications for traditional banking activities like lending and foreign exchange. It also covers blockchain-based settlement systems, stablecoin operations, digital asset custody services, and loyalty reward programs. The broad scope suggests Ant Group aims to connect its existing Alipay payment network with Hong Kong’s regulated Web3 sector.

Hong Kong implemented a new stablecoin licensing regime in August 2025. Ant Group previously stated it was exploring this regulatory framework. The trademark filing appears to be a step toward participating in Hong Kong’s licensed digital asset market.

The AntCoin news emerged just weeks after Beijing reportedly blocked stablecoin plans by both Ant Group and JD.com in mainland China. This regulatory decision in China contrasts with Hong Kong’s more permissive approach to digital assets and stablecoins.

Hong Kong’s Web3 Push

Hong Kong has positioned itself as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction within Greater China. The city’s government has created licensing frameworks for cryptocurrency exchanges and stablecoin issuers. This regulatory clarity has attracted multiple financial technology companies to establish digital asset operations in the territory.

The trademark filing does not confirm that Ant Group will launch a token or stablecoin. However, it establishes legal protection for the AntCoin name across financial services categories. This includes both traditional finance and emerging blockchain technologies.

Ant Group operates Alipay, one of the world’s largest mobile payment platforms with hundreds of millions of users. The company has experience managing digital payment systems at scale. Extending this infrastructure to include blockchain-based services would represent a new business line for the fintech giant.

Trademark Details

The trademark application was filed with Hong Kong’s Intellectual Property Department in June 2025. The specifications list nearly all major categories of financial activity. This comprehensive approach gives Ant Group flexibility in how it might use the AntCoin brand.

Hong Kong FinTech Week has traditionally focused on conventional financial technology. This year’s event features a crypto-heavy agenda. Jing’s participation signals Ant Group’s interest in the digital asset sector despite the recent setback in mainland China.

The company has not issued public statements about specific plans for AntCoin. The trademark filing itself provides the primary evidence of Ant Group’s blockchain interests in Hong Kong. Whether the company proceeds with a product launch will depend on regulatory approvals and business strategy decisions.

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