Chinese tech company Alibaba filed 19 patent applications for blockchain-based technologies during the week of January 27, 2020 that are now published and available on Magic Number's Cryptocurrency patent radian. Most of the documents are directed towards data authorization, but there are also other technologies that would be useful for e-commerce including methods for verifying signatures and managing smart contracts.

Last year, Alibaba acquired Koala in order to implement blockchain in all facets of its e-commerce platform including backend logistics. The new filings suggest the company, which also manages the online payment platform Alipay, will continue to integrate these technologies despite cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms being banned in China.