Blockchain Tracks $8 Billion in Clean Energy, Bypassing Banks

Ant Group’s enterprise solutions arm, Ant Digital Technologies, is leveraging blockchain technology to tokenize over 60 billion yuan ($8.4 billion) worth of energy infrastructure and power assets in China, according to reports. The initiative, part of Ant’s AntChain blockchain platform, involves tracking the performance of approximately 15 million devices such as wind turbines and solar panels, with data on power output and potential outages being recorded in real-time. This move is among the most ambitious real-world applications of digital ledgers in the country [1].

Through this platform, Ant Digital has already completed three financing deals for clean energy projects, raising a combined 300 million yuan ($42 million) from investors. The projects, including one in December 2024 involving over 200 million yuan for GCL Energy Technology, demonstrate how tokenization can bypass traditional financial intermediaries. Instead of relying on loan officers or underwriters, project operators issue digital tokens directly to investors, representing fractional ownership or future revenue rights [1].

The tokenization of real-world assets remains in its early stages globally, but momentum is building, particularly in markets with clearer regulatory frameworks, such as the United States and Europe. The process allows for more efficient, low-cost transactions and can expand access to a broader investor base, including retail participants who might otherwise be excluded from infrastructure financing. However, experts caution that trust and transparency are crucial for success. Tokenization must be backed by verifiable collateral, and data must be immutable and auditable [2].

Ant Digital is considering expanding the model to offshore decentralized exchanges to enhance liquidity for these tokenized assets. However, such plans depend heavily on regulatory approval, particularly in Hong Kong, where Ant has been involved in a sandbox led by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to explore tokenization of real-world assets. The city’s regulatory regime, which includes new rules governing stablecoins, will play a significant role in determining the scalability of Ant’s blockchain initiative [3].

Despite progress in Hong Kong, mainland China continues to enforce a strict ban on crypto-related transactions, with recent directives requiring local brokers to halt research and seminars promoting stablecoins. The move aims to prevent potential misuse of digital assets for fraudulent activities and to maintain financial stability. Ant Digital’s blockchain efforts are still a small part of its overall revenue, which is primarily generated from enterprise technology solutions like privacy and security services [3].

Looking ahead, Ant Group is also applying for stablecoin-related licenses through its international arm, Ant International, which is exploring cross-border payments using similar blockchain infrastructure. The company reported a profit of $654.5 million for the three months ended March 31, indicating its continued financial resilience amid regulatory shifts and strategic overhauls.

Source:

[1] Jack Ma–Backed Ant Group Unit Leverages Blockchain for $8 ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-backed-ant-group-042429528.html)

[2] Ant Digital Arm Puts $8 Billion Energy Assets on Its ... (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-09/ant-digital-arm-puts-8-billion-energy-assets-on-its-blockchain)

[3] Ant Digital plans to tokenize over $8 billion in energy assets (https://www.theblock.co/post/369959/ant-group-tokenize-energy-assets)