Executive Summary

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed fintech firm backed by Alibaba Group Holding founder Jack Ma, has significantly advanced its Web3 initiatives. The company appointed Geoff Jiang Guofei, a former senior executive at Ant Group and a key figure in its blockchain projects, as Chairman of its newly formed Web3 Development Committee. This strategic hire is complemented by Yunfeng Financial's acquisition of 10,000 Ether (ETH) for US$44 million, earmarked as a "strategic reserve" to support tokenized real-world asset projects.

The Event in Detail

Yunfeng Financial Group officially announced the appointment of Geoff Jiang Guofei as the Chairman of its Web3 Development Committee. Jiang previously served as President of Ant Digital Technology Business Group, where he oversaw Ant Group's blockchain endeavors, including the development of Trusple, a blockchain-backed smart contract platform for cross-border trade. Jiang departed Ant Group in 2024 to join China Electronics as chief scientist prior to this appointment.

Yunfeng Financial's commitment to Web3 is further evidenced by its US$44 million acquisition of 10,000 Ether, which the company states will provide "key infrastructure support" for its real-world asset (RWA) tokenization projects. The company has also established a partnership with Ant Digital Technologies, an affiliate of Ant Group. In a related development, Yunfeng Financial's blockchain team independently completed its inaugural RWA project, which involved the tokenization of shares from a fund of funds (FOF) focused on alternative assets, including credit and real estate-related debt securities. Other notable figures involved in Yunfeng Financial's Web3 strategy include Xiao Feng, Chairman and CEO of HashKey Group, and Liang Xinjun, co-founder of Fosun International, both serving as independent non-executive directors.

Market Implications

The strategic integration of Geoff Jiang Guofei and the substantial Ether acquisition by Yunfeng Financial Group underscore a growing trend of traditional financial institutions exploring and investing in decentralized technologies. This move signals a sharpened institutional commitment to Web3, particularly in Asia, and could accelerate the flow of institutional capital and talent into the blockchain ecosystem. The focus on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization by Yunfeng Financial aligns with the broader industry effort to bridge traditional finance with blockchain, enhancing capital efficiency and cross-border accessibility. The company explicitly aims to leverage Web3 to address traditional financial sector challenges, including those related to cost, efficiency, geographical limitations, and security.

Expert Commentary

The strategic direction taken by Yunfeng Financial aligns with the broader industry discourse on the practical application of blockchain technology. Ant Group CEO Han Xinyi previously stated that Ant Group would not issue virtual currency or engage in speculative activities, emphasizing that tokens must address "issues of trust, efficiency, and cost in the real economy" to foster a sustainable ecosystem. Han noted that "asset tokenization" and "token payments" are key drivers for integrating Web3 with the real economy. This perspective highlights the importance of real-world utility over speculative value. Furthermore, at the WebX 2025 conference in Tokyo, Taiwanese legislator Ju-Chun Ko remarked, "On-chain finance is not an extension of risk, but an opportunity for institutional innovation," advocating for regulated innovation and verifiable infrastructure in Asia's digital financial landscape.

Broader Context

Yunfeng Financial Group characterizes its foray into Web3 as a push into "frontier areas" designed to "solve many pain points" within traditional finance. The acquisition of Ether is positioned as a foundational element for this strategy, providing essential infrastructure support for future tokenized RWA projects. The company plans to expand its tokenization solutions to encompass additional asset classes. This approach reflects a broader industry movement towards leveraging decentralized technologies, or Web3, to create new financial infrastructure that supports efficient value circulation in the real economy. The involvement of an executive with Jiang Guofei's background, having led significant blockchain initiatives at Ant Group, further legitimizes and strengthens Yunfeng Financial's strategic positioning within the evolving landscape of digital finance.