Ant Digital Technologies tokenized energy infrastructure assets in China worth over 60 billion yuan ($8.4 billion), marking a new stage in financing renewable energy projects.
Ant Digital Technologies, a subsidiary of Ant Group, tokenized more than 15 million renewable energy devices, from wind turbines to solar panels, on its proprietary blockchain network, AntChain, Bloomberg reports.
The issuance of tokens backed by real energy assets is being used to attract financing. The company raised about 300 million yuan for three green energy projects.
According to Bloomberg, the project began in August 2023, when Ant Digital raised 100 million yuan from foreign banks for Longshine Technology Group by tokenizing over 9,000 electric vehicle charging stations. In December of the same year, the company helped GCL Energy Technology Co. secure more than 200 million yuan from foreign investors by tokenizing its photovoltaic assets.
Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization allows companies to bypass traditional intermediaries such as brokers, banks, and asset managers, reducing costs and speeding up capital raising. At the same time, investors gain access to digital tokens representing ownership stakes or future income from the assets.
Ant Digital is considering listing the tokens on overseas decentralized exchanges to boost liquidity. However, further development depends on regulatory decisions, particularly in Hong Kong, where new rules for stablecoin issuers recently came into force. The company is already participating in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) sandbox, which supports the development of RWA projects.
Meanwhile, mainland China maintains a complete ban on crypto transactions, which limits the company’s opportunities. Experts note that Ant Digital will need to proceed cautiously, balancing Hong Kong’s supportive policy environment with strict restrictions in the PRC.
