USDAnt Group’s “ANTCOIN” Trademark Move Marks Subtle Comeback in Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Arena
Chinese Fintech Giant Pushes IP Protection Amid Beijing’s Regulatory Freeze on Private Tokens
TL;DR:
- Ant Group quietly filed Hong Kong trademarks tied to virtual assets and stablecoins under “ANTCOIN.”
- The filings suggest strategic positioning, even as Beijing halts mainland stablecoin ambitions.
- Hong Kong’s new stablecoin licensing regime offers Ant a future launchpad once political conditions ease.
Ant Group, the $200 billion fintech arm of Alibaba, has filed multiple trademarks in Hong Kong tied to stablecoins and digital-asset services, signaling a cautious reentry into blockchain territory after China’s clampdown on private token projects. The applications, submitted in June 2025, include the name “ANTCOIN” and cover an extensive range of services—electronic wallets, virtual asset transfers, foreign exchange, token issuance, and blockchain infrastructure. The filings are currently pending approval at the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department, according to documents reviewed by Decrypt.
The timing adds intrigue. Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Bill, passed in May 2025 and set to take effect on August 1, introduced a licensing framework for fiat-referenced stablecoins. Just weeks later, Beijing reportedly ordered major Chinese tech firms—including Ant Group and JD.com—to halt all stablecoin development, citing concerns that privately issued tokens could undermine monetary sovereignty and encourage speculative flows. Despite this, Ant appears determined to lock in intellectual property for a potential future rollout under Hong Kong’s more permissive regulatory structure.
A spokesperson familiar with Hong Kong Web3 policy described the filings as “a smart defensive move.” Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association, told Decrypt that even if regulatory pressure from Beijing delays any actual product launch, trademark control keeps Ant positioned for eventual entry: “Although recent policy moves have put their stablecoin ambitions on ice, securing the IP ensures Ant can protect its brand and future leverage.”
The breadth of the ANTCOIN trademark classes suggests broader ambition than a single token. Filings reportedly extend into traditional financial categories—banking, lending, settlement, loyalty programs, and custody—alongside virtual-asset management and blockchain payment systems. This hybrid approach mirrors Ant’s international expansion strategy. Earlier this year, its overseas arm, Ant International, explored stablecoin licensing in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg, and announced plans to integrate Circle’s USDC into its global payments network, which processed over $300 billion in 2024.
Analysts note the tension between mainland control and Hong Kong autonomy. While Beijing’s regulators, including the People’s Bank of China and the Cyberspace Administration of China, continue tightening restrictions on crypto, Hong Kong has positioned itself as a regional Web3 hub, encouraging financial giants to innovate under supervision. Ant’s filing effectively straddles that divide—symbolic of China’s broader struggle to balance financial control with technological competitiveness.
No official confirmation of a token launch has surfaced, and sources close to Ant’s fintech operations describe the filings as “precautionary groundwork rather than an imminent launch.” Still, given Hong Kong’s push to attract regulated stablecoin issuers, industry observers see the ANTCOIN registration as a strategic placeholder, preserving Ant’s right to move fast once political winds shift. Whether Ant Group eventually becomes a key player in Asia’s emerging stablecoin economy may depend less on technical readiness than on Beijing’s comfort with its own fintech titan once again stepping into the crypto spotlight.
This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.
