Ant Group, the financial technology powerhouse affiliated with Alibaba, has publicly denied recent rumors suggesting a collaboration between its digital technologies division and Chinese AI computing firm Hainan Huatie. The speculation centered on a potential partnership focused on real-world assets (RWA) and stablecoins two hot trends in the Web3 and crypto finance space.
Official Denial on WeChat
In an official statement posted to its WeChat account, Ant Group made it clear that no agreement, cooperation, or project implementation exists between Ant Financial Technology and Hainan Huatie.
The company addressed what it called “widespread speculation” and stated, “There has been no formal agreement, business arrangement, nor project implementation between the two parties.”
False Hype Around RWA and Stablecoin Collaboration
The fintech firm took the opportunity to also warn the public about broader misinformation campaigns involving its name and the Web3 ecosystem. Specifically, Ant Group pointed to companies that have allegedly leveraged its brand without authorization to promote speculative ventures related to real-world assets and stablecoins.
“In addition, some companies in the market have recently hyped up hot concepts such as RWA and stablecoins, implying false cooperation with Ant Financial,” the statement read.
The company further advised, “Investors and partners are advised to carefully identify market rumors and pay attention to investment risks.”
Legal Threats for Unauthorized Use
In a strong move to protect its reputation, Ant Group warned that it reserves the right to pursue legal action against individuals or entities involved in unauthorized name use or false publicity.
The company’s legal warning appears to address the broader trend of unauthorized brand association in the crypto industry, where smaller or lesser-known entities falsely imply partnerships with major players to boost visibility or credibility.
Separate International Stablecoin Plans Still in Motion
While Ant Group has firmly denied domestic collaborations in the RWA and stablecoin sectors, its international arm has separately confirmed legitimate plans to expand into stablecoin issuance.
On June 12, a spokesperson from Ant International confirmed that the company intends to apply for a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong once the city’s new Stablecoins Ordinance goes into effect in August 2025. The new regulation mandates that any entity wishing to issue Hong Kong dollar–pegged stablecoins or operate in the region must be licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
In addition to Hong Kong, Ant International is also reportedly exploring licensing opportunities in Singapore and Luxembourg, positioning itself as a potential player in the regulated global stablecoin ecosystem.
Outlook
Ant Group’s latest clarification underscores the fine line between legitimate Web3 expansion efforts and market speculation fueled by hype and misinformation. While the company continues to explore international opportunities in the regulated crypto finance space, it remains firm in distancing itself from unauthorized or domestic speculative partnerships.
As RWA and stablecoins dominate the narrative in Asia’s Web3 sector, investors are urged to remain cautious and verify official sources before interpreting brand affiliations as endorsements.
