Intellectual property
Blockchain Patents
Who owns the intellectual property behind blockchain technology: the corporate patent race running quietly alongside the crypto markets. Counts are approximate and each link opens a live Google Patents search for that company.
Recent move
Circle acquires ~1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, becomes largest US holder
In July 2026, USDC issuer Circle bought over 680 patent families (nearly 1,000 issued patents) from IBM covering banking, insurance, supply-chain verification, and secure cloud operations — instantly making Circle the largest blockchain patent holder in the United States. IBM had held the top US spot for years with 790 patents before the sale.
View patents →Leading patent portfolios
1Advanced New Technologies (Alibaba)China — fintech, payments infrastructure1,311+patentsView patents →
2IBMUS — supply chain tracking, digital identity, enterprise infrastructure (bulk of portfolio sold to Circle, 2026)790patentsView patents →
3Ping An InsuranceChina — fintech and healthcare blockchain applications1,700+ filedpatentsView patents →
7CircleUS — acquired IBM's portfolio in 2026 to become the top US holder~1,000 (acquired)patentsView patents →
10Fidelity InvestmentsUS — digital asset custody and financial infrastructureTop 10 US filerpatentsView patents →