Circle has acquired nearly 1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, covering more than 680 patent families tied to blockchain systems, financial services, and enterprise infrastructure. The company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal and did not say whether it plans to enforce the patents against competitors. Circle said the portfolio will support businesses including USDC, Circle Payments Network, and its Arc blockchain. Fortune said the limited disclosure around the transaction has raised concern that the patents could become legal tools used against rivals or startups. Circle has not announced a defensive patent pledge or any licensing program tied to the portfolio.
Circle has acquired nearly 1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, spanning more than 680 patent families across blockchain systems, financial services, and enterprise infrastructure.
The company did not disclose the size of the transaction and did not say whether it would enforce the patents against competitors. Circle said the portfolio will support businesses including USD Coin (USDC), Circle Payments Network, and its Arc blockchain.
Fortune said the lack of detail has fueled concern that the patents could be used as legal tools against competitors or startups. Circle has not issued a defensive patent pledge and has not announced a licensing plan for the portfolio.
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