Stablecoin issuer and blockchain infrastructure provider Circle has acquired IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The portfolio consists of over 680 patent families and nearly 1,000 issued patents across the globe.
The patents span foundational blockchain technology, banking, financial services, insurance, enterprise infrastructure, supply chain verification, and secure cloud operations.
On the deal, Circle says: “The expanded IP position directly supports Circle’s foundation for building the internet financial system, including USDC, Circle Payments Network, Arc, and a growing suite of onchain products and agentic financial tools.”
Circle adds that following the acquisition, the two companies “also plan to explore additional commercial opportunities”. In January, Circle revealed that it was supporting the Government of Bermuda’s plans to become “the world’s first fully on-chain national economy” by providing it with digital asset infrastructure and tools.
