Ant Group, the fintech powerhouse behind Alipay, has filed trademarks in Hong Kong this year for virtual assets, stablecoins, and blockchain, including “ANTCOIN.” This, as many have speculated, is a signal to potential expansion into Web3 despite Beijing’s recent regulatory warnings that forced the company to pause its stablecoin issuance plans. The trademark applications come as Chinese technology firms race to secure intellectual property in the digital asset space, even with tightening regulatory over ...

Core Viewpoint - Ant Group is preparing to re-enter the digital assets market by applying for trademarks related to virtual assets, stablecoins, and blockchain technologies, including "ANTCOIN" in Hong Kong [1][2]. Group 1: Trademark Applications - Ant Group has filed applications with Hong Kong's Intellectual Property Department for the ANTCOIN mark, covering a wide range of financial and digital asset services, including online payments, electronic wallets, foreign exchange, and stablecoin issuance [2]. - The trademark application is currently pending approval from the registry [2]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The decision to file for trademarks is seen as a strategic move to protect Ant Group's interests in Hong Kong's growing virtual asset sector, according to legal experts [3]. - Despite recent regulatory challenges from Beijing that have stalled Ant Group's stablecoin initiatives, securing intellectual property rights is crucial for defending its brand [4]. Group 3: Market Risks - The stablecoin market poses risks, including the presence of unauthorized or fraudulent tokens that can mislead users, which is a concern for companies like Ant Group looking to operate in this space [5][6]. - Trademark protection is emphasized as an essential part of risk management for stablecoin players [6]. Group 4: Company Background - Ant Group, co-founded by Jack Ma, has been progressively integrating blockchain and digital asset infrastructure into its broader financial technology strategy [7].

Ant Group, China's largest internet finance company, applied to register a series of trademarks related to virtual assets, stablecoins, and blockchain in Hong Kong this year, including "ANTCOIN," possibly as a preparatory step for future expansion of related businesses.https://t.co/Px7f7o5PZX ...