Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) said on July 27 it had acquired IBM's blockchain patent portfolio, adding more than 680 patent families and nearly 1,000 issued patents worldwide to its intellectual property. The company, which issues the USDC stablecoin, said the acquisition makes it the largest holder of blockchain patents among US companies. Circle said the portfolio will support products including USDC, Circle Payments Network and its Arc blockchain infrastructure. These patents span blockchain technology, banking, enterprise infrastructure, supply chain verification and secure cloud operations. Circle, ... (full story)