Alibaba’s Ant Group Files ‘AntCoin’ Trademark in Hong Kong, Hinting at Crypto Ambitions

Ant Group, the fintech arm of Alibaba, has submitted a trademark application for ‘AntCoin’ in Hong Kong, indicating potential ventures into blockchain financial services and stablecoins. This application covers various financial activities, including stablecoin issuance, digital-asset custody, and loyalty rewards, aligning with Hong Kong's growing Web3 economy. The timing of this filing is noteworthy, as it precedes Chairman Eric Jing's participation in Hong Kong FinTech Week, an event focusing on cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, this move comes after Ant Group's exploration of Hong Kong's stablecoin licensing regime, which was introduced in August. While the trademark alone doesn’t confirm a token launch, it establishes a legal foundation for Ant Group to potentially integrate its Alipay ecosystem with regulated blockchain services, possibly setting the stage for future developments in digital finance.

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