Circle Becomes Largest Blockchain Patent Holder in US After Acquiring Nearly 1,000 Patents from IBM

Circle, the issuer of USDC stablecoin, has acquired nearly 1,000 blockchain-anchored patents from IBM in what it claims makes it the largest holder of such patents in the United States. The portfolio, which spans over 680 patent families, covers a range of topics including blockchain technology, banking, financial services, insurance, enterprise infrastructure, supply-chain verification, and cloud security.

The deal's financial terms were not disclosed, but it is seen as a strategic move by Circle to bolster its intellectual property and expand adoption of onchain infrastructure. The company's general counsel and corporate secretary, Sarah Wilson, stated that 'intellectual property is critical to advancing our mission and expanding adoption of onchain infrastructure.'

Circle plans to use the acquired patents to support its various products, including USDC, Circle Payments Network, Arc blockchain, and financial tools designed for AI agents. The company also announced plans with IBM to explore further commercial opportunities.