China’s Payment Giant Ant Group Files Crypto Trademarks in Hong Kong

Core Insights - Ant Group has filed trademarks in Hong Kong for virtual assets, stablecoins, and blockchain, indicating a potential expansion into Web3 despite regulatory challenges from Beijing [1] - Chinese technology firms are actively securing intellectual property in the digital asset space amid increasing regulatory scrutiny [2] Trademark Applications and Regulatory Context - Ant Group's trademark applications follow a shift in its stablecoin strategy, with plans to apply for stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg [3] - Regulatory authorities in China have instructed firms, including Ant Group, to pause or abandon stablecoin initiatives due to concerns over monetary authority [4] Regulatory Concerns - Former PBoC governor Zhou Xiaochuan expressed caution regarding stablecoins, highlighting their potential for speculation and questioning their utility for retail payments [5] Blockchain Strategy - Despite domestic regulatory challenges, Ant Group has expanded its blockchain infrastructure globally, with its Whale blockchain processing approximately one-third of over $1 trillion in transactions last year [6] - Ant Digital has led the tokenization of real-world assets in China's renewable energy sector, connecting over 60 billion yuan worth of assets to AntChain [7]