Circle Buys IBM Blockchain Patent Estate—And Becomes America's Biggest Holder
Decrypt·
60-second summary
Circle is acquiring nearly 1,000 patents from IBM's blockchain estate, solidifying its position as America's largest patent holder in the space. This strategic move positions Circle to further advance its stablecoin USDC, which has already seen significant adoption. The deal's implications are significant, as Circle now has a substantial intellectual property portfolio.
The USDC issuer acquired nearly 1,000 patents from IBM in a single deal, but IBM is still backing USDC's most dangerous rival.