Circle becomes top US blockchain patent holder with IBM deal
6.6 Investments Circle acquired IBM’s blockchain patents, becoming the largest US blockchain patent holder. The deal boosts Circle’s digital finance infrastructure and supports its USDC and related products.
Circle has acquired IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio, securing over 680 patent families and nearly 1,000 issued patents worldwide. This move establishes Circle as the largest blockchain patent holder in the United States. The patents cover a broad range of technologies, including blockchain infrastructure, banking, financial services, insurance, enterprise systems, supply chain verification, cryptography, and secure cloud operations. This expanded intellectual property portfolio is set to strengthen Circle’s offerings, such as the USDC stablecoin, Circle Payments Network, Arc blockchain, and a suite of onchain financial tools. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but both companies have indicated plans to explore further commercial opportunities together. The acquisition aligns with Circle’s strategy to enhance its enterprise blockchain capabilities and develop infrastructure for internet-native finance. Meanwhile, IBM continues its shift toward AI and hybrid cloud solutions. Following the announcement, Circle’s stock price saw a modest increase.
