Ant Group to Launch Layer1 Blockchain Jovay Mainnet by September 2025

Ant Group, a leading Chinese financial technology giant, has announced plans to launch the mainnet of its proprietary public blockchain Jovay by the end of September 2025. The revelation came from Bian Zhuoqun, Vice President of Ant Group and President of Ant Digital Technologies’ blockchain division, during a recent statement. This new blockchain is expected to process real-world transactions, marking a significant milestone in the company's blockchain strategy.

Earlier this year, on April 30, Ant Digital introduced Jovay, a Layer 2 blockchain platform designed for institutional use. Jovay was explicitly positioned as a compliant, institution-grade blockchain, with the company emphasizing that it would not issue tokens. This aligns with Ant Group's broader vision of bridging Web2 and Web3 ecosystems. Bian highlighted the company's commitment to creating a gateway between these two digital worlds by introducing more compliant assets to Web3 while attracting regulated capital to Web2. She also cited projections estimating the global tokenization market could reach $16 trillion by 2030, underscoring the significant potential of blockchain technology in reshaping traditional industries.

Ant Group, headquartered in Hangzhou, China, is best known for its flagship product Alipay, a widely used digital payment platform. In recent years, the company has diversified its operations, focusing on blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. Its blockchain division, Ant Digital Technologies, has been at the forefront of this transformation, with initiatives spanning renewable energy, computing power, and financial services. These efforts are part of the company's broader strategy to expand its footprint in the Real World Asset (RWA) sector, leveraging blockchain to tokenize and manage physical assets.

The announcement comes at a time when blockchain adoption is accelerating globally. Notably, Ant Group's move to develop a public blockchain aligns with China's broader push to integrate blockchain into its digital economy. The country's government has been actively promoting blockchain applications across various sectors, including finance, supply chain, and healthcare. This development also follows a series of regulatory changes in Hong Kong, where authorities have implemented laws to govern stablecoins and other digital assets, creating a more conducive environment for blockchain innovation.

While Ant Group's blockchain ambitions are ambitious, they are not without challenges. The company's decision to avoid issuing tokens reflects a cautious approach, likely influenced by China's strict regulations on cryptocurrency. However, this strategy also positions Ant Group as a leader in developing compliant blockchain solutions tailored for institutional use. Similar initiatives have been observed globally, with companies like IBM and JPMorgan also focusing on enterprise-grade blockchain platforms.

The launch of Ant Group's public blockchain could have far-reaching implications for the blockchain industry, particularly in Asia. By providing a compliant, scalable, and efficient platform for real-world transactions, the company aims to set a new standard for blockchain adoption in traditional industries. As the countdown to September 2025 begins, all eyes will be on Ant Group to see how it navigates the complexities of blockchain technology while adhering to regulatory frameworks.