The blockchain industry has skyrocketed from a niche idea to a powerhouse of innovation, revolutionizing finance, supply chains, and healthcare. Known for powering cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, blockchain is a secure and transparent way to record transactions.
Blockchain is no longer just about cryptocurrency; it’s about creating a more connected, transparent, and secure digital future.
Big names like IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services are driving blockchain advancements, pushing the limits of innovation. With game-changers like smart contracts that self-execute agreements and decentralized finance (DeFi) offering banking without banks, they’re transforming the landscape.
This article delves into the patent landscape of the blockchain industry, revealing the top companies, groundbreaking inventors, technology overview and research centers driving these advancements.
This analysis is based on published patent data from 2012-2018. Interested in the updated analysis?
What is the patent filing trend in the Blockchain Industry?
The chart below represents the patent filing trend within the blockchain industry from the year 2007 to 2017.
Blockchain technology adoption has increased rapidly in recent years. Over the past few years, there has been a significant surge in patent filings related to blockchain innovations. Beginning in 2013, the number of patent filings in this field soared, doubling, tripling, and even quadrupling since that time.
The upsurge in patent filings in blockchain industry between the years 2013 to 2016 might be due to increased recognition of the industry’s transformative potential. It was during this time period when major players in the industry like IBM and Mastercard were heavily involved in blockchain research and development which might have inspired a wave of patent filings in the industry.
The table below provides the number of applications filed and the number of patents granted from the year 2010 to 2018.
| Year | Applications Filed in Blockchain Industry | Patents Granted in Blockchain Industry |
| 2018 | – | 39 |
| 2017 | 12 | 31 |
| 2016 | 417 | 9 |
| 2015 | 179 | 2 |
| 2014 | 93 | – |
| 2013 | 21 | 2 |
| 2012 | 18 | – |
| 2011 | 5 | – |
| 2010 | 3 | – |
| 2009 | 1 | – |
| 2008 | 2 | – |
| 2007 | 2 | – |
Technology Overview of the Blockchain Industry
The technological categorizations such as Cryptocurreny and Decentralized database/ledger, demonstrate the collective efforts to address the challenges and tailor blockchain technology for diverse domains.
Evolution of Blockchain Technology: 2007-2017
The chart below showcases the technology through the years 2007 to 2017 for the Blockchain Industry
Key companies filing patents in the Blockchain Industry
The chart below showcases the top 15 companies actively involved in research and development for innovations and technological advancements in blockchain industry.
Surprisingly, Walmart Apollo, a global retail giant, also emerged as a key player with 8 patents, likely using blockchain for supply chain management, smart contracts, food safety, and product authentication.
Technology Overview
This analysis provides an insight into areas of focus and innovations of companies thereby offering comprehensive snapshot of their contributions to the dynamic landscape of Blockchain sector.
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the top 25 companies in the blockchain industry.
| Companies | Patents |
| IBM | 68 |
| Bank Of America | 46 |
| Mastercard | 30 |
| Intel | 17 |
| Tecnotree Tech | 16 |
| Visa | 10 |
| Accenture Global Solutions | 9 |
| Toronto Dominion Bank | 8 |
| Walmart Apollo | 8 |
| Paypal | 7 |
| Cplabs | 7 |
| Coinbase | 7 |
| Cisco Tech | 6 |
| CME Group | 6 |
| Refinitiv US Org | 6 |
| Sony | 6 |
| Intellectual Frontiers | 6 |
| MidCap Financial Trust | 5 |
| NASDAQ | 5 |
| Monetago | 5 |
| CA Tech | 5 |
| Raise Marketplace | 5 |
| Fujitsu | 5 |
| Guardtime | 5 |
| British Telecommunications | 4 |
Who are the leading innovators in the Blockchain Industry?
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the top 25 inventors in the blockchain industry.
| Inventors Name | Patent Count |
| Castinado Joseph B | 21 |
| Kurian Manu Jacob | 17 |
| Saxena Manoj | 16 |
| Sanchez Matthew | 16 |
| Knuszka Richard | 16 |
| Davis Steven Charles | 15 |
| Thomas Richard H | 14 |
| Smith Ned M | 13 |
| Ronca James G | 13 |
| Johnsrud Darrell | 11 |
| Jayachandran Praveen | 11 |
| Dolan Heather | 11 |
| Durbin Thomas E | 10 |
| Uhr Joon Sun | 8 |
| Wuehler Michael | 8 |
| Lee John Jong Suk | 8 |
| High Donald R | 8 |
| Hong Jay Wu | 8 |
| Chan Paul Mon-Wah | 8 |
| Gaur Nitin | 7 |
| Haldenby Perry Aaron Jones | 7 |
| Song Joo Han | 6 |
| Shah Shahid N | 6 |
| Kraemer James R | 6 |
| Linton Jeb R | 6 |
Which countries have filed patents in the Blockchain Industry?
This analysis highlights the contribution of different countries in international landscape of the blockchain industry.
The U.S. has a significant presence in blockchain technology, with numerous startups, research institutions, and large corporations actively working on blockchain projects. Additionally, regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have been involved in shaping the regulatory landscape for blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Where are the Research Centers in the Blockchain Industry located?
The chart provides a snapshot of key contributors in the industry highlighting their pivotal role in development novel approaches and solutions in blockchain industry.
Leading companies in USA filing patents in Blockchain Industry
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents related to blockchain industry within United States of Americaranges from Cryptocurrency, Decentralized Database/ Ledger to Public Blockchain.
Leading companies in Europe (EPO) filing patents in Blockchain Industry
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents related to blockchain industry within Europe (EPO) ranges from Cryprocurrency to e-Commerce.
Leading companies in United Kingdom filing patents in Blockchain Industry
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents related to blockchain industry within United Kingdom ranges from Block Generation to Security.
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