Blockchain Bridges Energy Giants to Digital Finance Era

Ant Group Co. is advancing the tokenization of real-world assets by uploading over $8.4 billion in energy infrastructure and data from 15 million new energy devices, including wind turbines and solar panels, to its AntChain blockchain, according to people familiar with the matter. The initiative, led by Ant Digital Technologies, is part of a broader strategy to integrate physical assets with digital infrastructure. Ant Digital has already completed financing for three clean energy projects, raising approximately 300 million yuan in total, and is exploring future plans to trade tokens on overseas decentralized exchanges, subject to regulatory approval. This effort marks a significant step toward leveraging blockchain technology for asset management and capital raising in the energy sector [1].

The process involves monitoring the power output and potential outages of renewable energy assets and linking them to AntChain. This data is then used to issue tokens that represent fractional ownership or revenue streams from the underlying assets. By bypassing traditional financial intermediaries, companies can raise capital more efficiently and at lower costs. For example, in August 2024, Ant Digital secured 100 million yuan in financing for Shenzhen-listed Longshine Technology Group by linking 9,000 of the company’s electric charging units to its blockchain. Similarly, in December 2024, the unit raised over 200 million yuan for GCL Energy Technology Co. by tokenizing its photovoltaic assets [1].

The tokenization of real-world assets, particularly in the energy sector, is still in its early stages but is gaining traction as a means to enhance liquidity and reduce transaction costs. Professor Campbell R. Harvey of Duke University highlighted the importance of trust in the process, emphasizing that token holders must be assured of the existence of collateral. Once assets are tokenized, transactions can be executed efficiently and at scale. Ant Digital’s approach aligns with broader trends in blockchain adoption, where tokenization serves as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized systems [1].

One of the potential future directions for Ant Digital is the listing of these tokens on offshore decentralized exchanges to increase their liquidity. However, such moves are contingent on regulatory approval, which remains a critical factor in the development of the tokenization ecosystem. The company is also collaborating with other entities, including Pharos Network and Hong Kong’s Yunfeng Financial Group, to further explore blockchain-based physical asset projects. These partnerships underscore the growing interest in real-world asset tokenization as a tool for financial innovation [2].

Ant Digital’s efforts are part of a larger movement in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry to tokenize physical assets. For instance, Fosun International recently announced the creation of Hong Kong’s first stock performance-linked token, leveraging blockchain technology to enhance market efficiency. Similarly, the Ethereum ecosystem is seeing significant investment in infrastructure and DeFi projects. In July 2025, Etherealize, an Ethereum infrastructure startup, raised $40 million in a round led by Electric Capital and Paradigm, aiming to develop blockchain products for Wall Street institutions. These developments illustrate the growing recognition of blockchain’s role in transforming traditional asset management and capital markets [6].

The broader implications of real-world asset tokenization extend beyond the energy sector. In the financial industry, tokenization is being used to digitize traditional assets such as stocks, real estate, and art. For example, Utila, a stablecoin infrastructure company, has secured $22 million in financing to expand its digital asset operating platform. The company processes over $15 billion in transactions monthly and is planning to accelerate its growth in emerging markets. This trend reflects the increasing integration of blockchain technology into various aspects of finance, including custody, trading, and settlement [6].

Source:

[1] Ant Digital Arm Puts $8 Billion Energy Assets on Its Blockchain (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ant-digital-arm-puts-8-000000064.html)

[2] Ant Financial has uploaded approximately $8.4 billion (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/4267196c-b573-4526-b469-664295ab340a)

[3] Ant Investment Foundation (ANT) and HBHEX Partner to Open a New Chapter in Global Crypto Investment (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ant-investment-foundation-ant-and-hbhex-partner-to-open-a-new-chapter-in-global-crypto-investment-302549298.html)

[4] Fosun drives up interest for Hong Kong stock performance (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fosun-drives-interest-hong-kong-093000554.html)

[5] Blockchain (https://www.scmp.com/tech/blockchain)

[6] Last week, there were a total of 17 public financing events (https://www.chaincatcher.com/en/article/2204042)