Circle’s IBM Patent Deal Brings Nearly 1,000 Blockchain Patents

Circle said its expanded blockchain patent portfolio will strengthen infrastructure supporting USDC, Circle Payments Network, Arc, and agentic financial tools. USDC issuer Circle Internet Group has acquired assets from IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio in a bid to expand its intellectual property holdings. The portfolio includes more than 680 patent families and nearly 1,000 issued patents worldwide covering core blockchain technology, banking, financial services, insurance, enterprise infrastructure, supply chain verification, and secure cloud operations. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. IBM Patent Deal Circle said the acquisition makes it the largest holder of blockchain patents in the United States. According to the stablecoin issuer, the expanded patent portfolio will support products including USDC, Circle Payments Network, Arc, as well as its lineup of on-chain products and agentic financial tools. The two companies also plan to pursue further business opportunities together. Weighing in on the development, Circle’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Sarah Wilson said, “Intellectual property is critical to advancing our mission and expanding adoption...