Circle has acquired nearly 1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, making it the largest holder of such intellectual property in the U.S. The company plans to use the patents to support its products, including USDC, and explore future partnerships.
The acquisition significantly expands Circle's intellectual property in the blockchain space, bolstering its position in the development of internet-native financial systems and potentially AI-driven financial tools.
USDC issuer Circle announced it has acquired nearly 1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, positioning the company as the largest holder of such intellectual property in the United States. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquired portfolio includes more than 680 patent families and nearly 1,000 issued patents globally, focusing on areas such as blockchain technology, banking, insurance, enterprise infrastructure, supply-chain verification, and cloud security. Circle stated that this intellectual property will support its existing products, including USDC and its Arc blockchain, and will be utilized for developing financial tools for AI agents.
IBM has historically been a significant filer of blockchain patents, with a peak in filings between 2018 and 2019. The company's blockchain efforts have notably concentrated on supply chain applications aimed at enhancing product transparency. Circle and IBM also plan to explore future commercial partnerships.
Separately, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong suggested that AI agents will drive demand for crypto-based financial services, with agentic payment activity on Coinbase's Base network topping 100 million transactions in June. Additionally, decentralized cloud storage provider Storj Labs filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, stating its network will continue operating.