Ant Group has acquired a 50.55% controlling stake in Hong Kong-listed Yau Choy Securities for about $360 million, strengthening its position in the city’s emerging digital asset market.
The deal, priced at HKD 2.814 billion, gives Ant control of a fully licensed brokerage as Hong Kong rolls out new regulations for stablecoins and virtual asset platforms.
Ant installed senior executives on Yau Choy’s board following the acquisition, signalling its intent to actively use the firm as a strategic hub.
The transaction was executed at HKD 3.28 per share, representing a 17.6% premium to the company’s previous closing price.
Market participants have labelled Yau Choy a “stablecoin concept” stock, reflecting expectations it could benefit from upcoming regulatory changes.
The move follows earlier indications that Ant planned to leverage a Hong Kong broker licence to pursue stablecoin and digital asset approvals.
The acquisition underscores Ant’s broader push into regulated crypto infrastructure as Hong Kong positions itself as a regional hub for digital finance.