According to CoinMeta, Circle announced that it has acquired nearly 1,000 blockchain patents from IBM, becoming the largest holder of blockchain patents in the United States. This transaction covers more than 680 patent families and involves multiple fields such as blockchain systems, financial services, and insurance. Circle stated that these patents will support its USDC, Circle payment networks, and its ARC blockchain. Although the financial terms were not disclosed, this acquisition may enhance Circle's competitiveness in the stablecoin and payment sectors. Analysts warn that these patents could become a legal lever against competitors. Circle's stock price rose by about 2% after the acquisition news was announced, but then fell by nearly 5% due to Morgan Stanley downgrading its rating.