Ant Group Trademarks ’ANTCOIN’ for Stablecoin in HK
Ant Group filed trademark applications in June with Hong Kong’s Intellectual Property Department for ’ANTCOIN’, covering stablecoin issuance, digital wallets, online payments, foreign exchange and token services. This stablecoin trademark bid safeguards the brand and counters counterfeit token risks ahead of potential digital asset launches. The move comes after Beijing reportedly ordered tech firms in October to pause stablecoin work. It also aligns with Ant’s recent blockchain pilots—USDC cross-border payments via Alipay+ in partnership with Circle and an energy asset tokenization platform in China. Leveraging Hong Kong’s progressive virtual asset regulations, Ant Group positions itself for eventual stablecoin service rollout once conditions improve. Traders should watch the trademark approval and regulatory updates as indicators of Ant Group’s crypto market re-entry and growth potential.
Bullish
Ant Group’s trademark application for ’ANTCOIN’ signals its intent to re-enter the stablecoin market, which could increase competition and innovation among stablecoin providers. In the short term, trader sentiment may improve as this move reduces regulatory uncertainty and counters risks of counterfeit tokens, potentially boosting demand for regulated stablecoins like USDC. Over the long term, the initiative under Hong Kong’s favorable regulatory framework could pave the way for Ant Group’s stablecoin launch, expanding market liquidity and use cases in digital finance. These factors together suggest a bullish outlook for the stablecoin sector, though broader market conditions and regulatory approvals will ultimately shape outcomes.