Circle Buys IBM Blockchain Patent Estate—And Becomes America's Biggest Holder
Circle, issuer of USDC, bought IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio on July 27, gaining over 1,000 issued patents worldwide across blockchain, financial services, enterprise infrastructure, supply chain verification, and secure cloud operations. The acquisition took Circle from having essentially no blockchain IP to holding one of the largest such portfolios in the U.S., surpassing IBM’s previous lead. Circle says the patents strengthen its “internet financial system” strategy, including USDC, Circle Payments Network, Arc, and onchain financial tools. The deal gives Circle more leverage in a field where patents can control who may use key blockchain methods and on what terms. The move also shifts competitive dynamics: IBM is a partner in Open USD, a new stablecoin consortium backed by major firms and designed to compete with USDC. Circle has joined the LOT Network for protection against patent trolls, but with this portfolio it could also use the IP offensively if it chooses.
