Circle Acquires IBM Blockchain Patents to Secure Global Banking Rails
Circle has acquired nearly 1,000 IBM blockchain patents as it seeks to solidify its grip on global banking rails. The deal includes over 680 patent families covering various areas such as blockchain technology, banking, financial services, insurance, enterprise infrastructure, and supply-chain verification.
The acquisition makes Circle the leading holder of blockchain patents in the US and will support its USD Coin (USDC), Circle Payments Network, Arc blockchain, and other onchain and agentic financial tools. The firm plans to explore additional commercial opportunities with IBM, which has spent years patenting ways to connect blockchain systems with conventional financial networks.
The patents will provide Circle with potential intellectual-property leverage as stablecoins move beyond crypto trading into settlement, treasury operations, and mainstream payments. Circle General Counsel Sarah Wilson said: 'Intellectual property is critical to advancing our mission and expanding adoption of onchain infrastructure.'