Ant Group, the Chinese fintech conglomerate behind Alipay’s 1.4 billion-user network, has officially entered the Ethereum ecosystem with the launch of Jovay Network, a new Layer 2 (L2) blockchain designed for institutional-scale real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. The initiative, led by Ant Digital, marks a strategic shift in how traditional financial infrastructure is converging with decentralized finance (DeFi).
A New Institutional Bridge on Ethereum
Jovay Network, introduced on October 14, 2025, is described by Ant Digital as a compliance-first, AI-assisted scaling network that integrates real-world data and value flows into blockchain-based systems. The project utilizes a dual-prover architecture combining zero-knowledge (ZK) and optimistic rollups to enhance both scalability and verifiability. Unlike many blockchain networks, Jovay deliberately launched without a native token, signaling an emphasis on institutional utility over retail speculation.
According to Jovay’s technical documentation, the network achieved 15,700 to 22,000 transactions per second (TPS) in testnet trials and aims to reach 100,000 TPS through node clustering and horizontal scaling. These figures would significantly exceed the throughput of leading Ethereum L2s such as Base, which processes around 93 TPS based on data from L2Beat. Jovay’s current metrics show $50 million in total value locked (TVL), reflecting early traction since its introduction.
The implications of Ant’s blockchain push are substantial. Alipay handles trillions in payment volume annually, and even a fractional integration of that activity onto Ethereum rails through Jovay could represent one of the most transformative shifts in global finance infrastructure to date.
Redefining Real-World Asset Tokenization
Jovay’s core proposition lies in bringing regulated real-world assets on-chain through a structured five-stage process encompassing registration, structuring, tokenization, issuance, and trading. Each stage embeds off-chain data attestations and verification checkpoints, providing regulatory visibility similar to that of traditional financial systems.
The platform integrates with AntChain’s enterprise registry, enabling bilateral settlements between licensed institutions and on-chain liquidity providers. This model could allow banks or corporations to issue digital bonds, conduct cross-border settlements, or engage in instant DeFi transactions without compromising jurisdictional controls or sensitive data.
🌐Jovay joins hands🤝 with @ethereum to build the next era of Layer 2.
This is not just a step into the Ethereum ecosystem — it’s the beginning of a broader future.✨
Let’s build the next chapter together!#Ethereum #Layer2 #Jovay #RWA #Web3 pic.twitter.com/Lg7Xe73uNF
— Jovay Network (@JovayNetwork) October 14, 2025
Ethereum Foundation representatives have noted that Ant’s initiative underscores the next evolution of global finance being built on Ethereum rails. They observed that Alipay, once a payments app, now functions as a comprehensive infrastructure layer encompassing loans, insurance, identity, and mobility—an ecosystem that is gradually transitioning to the blockchain domain through Jovay.
A Strategic Bet on Public Blockchain Infrastructure
Ant Group’s entry into Ethereum reflects a broader macro shift in institutional blockchain strategy. In the past, major corporations preferred permissioned ledgers such as Hyperledger to minimize volatility and regulatory exposure. That approach is evolving as governments and multinational financial entities increasingly adopt public blockchains like Ethereum for regulated digital assets.
By choosing Ethereum over a proprietary chain, Ant Group signals its confidence in public blockchain infrastructure as a viable foundation for institutional finance. The company’s decision also serves as a hedge against technological isolation while ensuring interoperability, since assets issued on Jovay can seamlessly interact with Ethereum’s $100 billion DeFi ecosystem.
The cost efficiency of building on Ethereum further supports this choice. Reports indicate that networks like Base, a Coinbase-backed L2, have paid less than $5 million in blob and settlement fees to Ethereum validators since 2023—a structure that delivers up to 98% savings compared to standalone validator costs. For Ant, such efficiency translates into lower transaction costs for a user base exceeding one billion.
Ethereum’s Expanding Institutional Footprint
The launch of Jovay reinforces Ethereum’s growing role as a trusted settlement layer for global finance. What was once perceived as an experimental technology is now becoming a foundation for regulated financial systems.
If Jovay’s adoption accelerates, Ethereum’s share of the tokenized finance market could extend far beyond the current $12 billion RWA segment, encompassing asset classes such as energy credits, trade finance instruments, and government bonds. Each new on-chain integration would generate greater demand for ETH liquidity and block space, strengthening the network’s economic flywheel.
Ant Group’s initiative illustrates that the next wave of blockchain adoption will likely stem from compliant, institutional-grade infrastructure rather than speculative trading. As Jovay bridges Alipay-scale financial systems with Ethereum’s decentralized framework, it represents not only a milestone for Ant Group but also a defining moment in the global evolution of tokenized finance.
