Circle acquires nearly 1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, industry questions their defensive value and potential litigation use

Odaily Planet Daily News: Stablecoin issuer Circle has announced the acquisition of nearly 1,000 blockchain-related patents from IBM. Circle has characterized the acquisition as an important step in "advancing global internet-native financial infrastructure," and the company's stock price rose approximately 2% following the announcement.

However, analysts remain cautious about the acquisition. IBM's own blockchain business has largely been deemed a failure, and its patent portfolio reflects more of a skill in patent filing strategies than genuine technological innovation. There are external concerns that Circle may use these patents to file lawsuits against competitors, collect patent licensing fees, or pressure startups—and it is not ruled out that they could be transferred to patent trolls for extortionate enforcement. (Fortune)