Ant Group Applies for "ANTCOIN" Trademark in Hong Kong
In June 2025, the company applied to register a series of trademarks in Hong Kong, including “ANTCOIN.” The filings cover a wide range of financial services such as stablecoin issuance, digital asset custody, and blockchain-based settlement systems.
This move aligns with Hong Kong’s recent implementation of a stablecoin licensing regime, which took effect on August 1, 2025. The filing suggests that Ant Group is positioning itself to bridge its existing Alipay ecosystem with Hong Kong’s regulated Web3 infrastructure.
Strategic Shift Amidst Chinese Regulatory Landscape
The trademark application comes at a time when Ant Group’s previous stablecoin initiatives faced regulatory challenges in mainland China. Reports indicate that Chinese regulators, including the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), instructed major tech firms, including Ant Group, to halt their stablecoin projects due to concerns over private-sector control of digital currencies.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s more permissive approach to digital assets and stablecoins has provided Ant Group with an opportunity to explore blockchain-based financial services under a clearer legal framework.
Ant Group’s filing of the “ANTCOIN” trademark in Hong Kong signals a strategic move to tap into the growing demand for digital assets and blockchain technology in the region. By aligning with Hong Kong’s stablecoin licensing regime, Ant Group aims to leverage its established user base through Alipay and integrate its services into the city’s evolving Web3 economy.
Global Regulatory Concerns Regarding Stablecoins
The Governor of China’s Central Bank recently warned that stablecoins can amplify gaps in global financial regulation. He also noted that these digital assets could affect the monetary sovereignty of some underdeveloped economies, potentially undermining their control over local currency and policy.
The Governor of China’s Central Bank stated that stablecoins amplify loopholes in global financial regulation, increase the fragility of the global financial system, and impact the monetary sovereignty of some underdeveloped economies. China will continue to crack down on the…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) October 27, 2025
In response, China reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on the operation and speculation of virtual currencies within its borders, signaling continued strict oversight and regulatory enforcement to protect financial stability.
Related Social Media Commentary
我找到了蚂蚁集团申请的另一个代币，他的名字是BETTRCOIN，网站在这里https://t.co/LDDPKAQxbY
On same day, ANT group filed their trademarks $bettrcoin
0x0cBF4a6e00A41C020976402be00f19A7A54B4444$antcoin
0x00cf89Ae8Ce6283583fa6D25f548B57b0b334444 pic.twitter.com/qwqYBx9lHC
— Debest (@debestfk) October 27, 2025
🚨BREAKING: 🇨🇳China’s largest fintech company, Ant Group, just filed multiple crypto-related trademarks, including “ANTCOIN.” pic.twitter.com/JcAUMA39z5
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) October 27, 2025