China Blockchain Patent Data Report (2021)

Blockchain, which is a simple technology, is grafted into many industries, and the development of blockchain technology itself is also involved in this process. By examining the application of blockchain technology patents, you can better understand the development of blockchain and the development of technology. From the perspective of the development of the global blockchain market, blockchain technology has gradually moved to a stable stage of development, and China is still the world leader in terms of blockchain technology patent application.

To focus on the development of the blockchain industry, 01 Blockchain and Zero One Think Tank will publish the "China Blockchain Industry Development Census Report (2021)", and related organizations can participate by providing new examples.

(1) International patent application 2021

Global blockchain patent demand over the past 10 years can be divided into four phases.

Before 2014 is the first step,At this stage, the number of blockchain patent applications is less than 100 and the development is slow. Applied patents typically focus on crypto algorithms, digital currencies, and payment as an app.

2014-2017 is the second phase,At this point, the speed of blockchain patent filing has accelerated and the number of patents has also started to crack. Resources for patent application include finance, business services, transportation, law, agriculture, and other industries, and the use of blockchain technology in the economy is slowly increasing towards diversity. The growth of this stage is dictated by national policy, companies are still starting to use blockchain, and many blockchain innovators have emerged.

3 stages from 2017 to 2020,At this point, the research and development of blockchain patents has led to explosive growth. The further increase in the value of Bitcoin in 2017 is supporting the growth of blockchain patent filing companies. In addition, regulations in many countries have accelerated the export of blockchain and further fostered the development of technology production by the industry. At this point, blockchain has developed a research guide on payments, finance, business services, business intelligence, digital assets and transport in export situation. .

2021 is the start of phase 4,The number of patent applications in the global blockchain industry in 2021 is 18,931, which is lower than in 2020, but it is still higher last year, showing that the structure of the technology blockchain has changed stably from time to time. time. Speaking of events, 2021 is still a continuation of the previous phase, but at the same time, areas such as privacy, intelligence, data storage and security counts will be considered in 2021.

Figure 1. Patent application for the global blockchain market in 2010-2021

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

According to statistics from Smart Bud, the zero-one think tank, in 2021, the number of blockchain applications in China in the field of global blockchain technology production will reach 15,985, accounting for 84% of all international applications, ranking first. The United States is in second place with 8% (1,456), followed by the Cayman Islands, India and South Korea with 309, 217 and 108, respectively. As the data shows, the global distribution of research and blockchain technology development is uneven, and China is the world leader in blockchain technology research and development.

Figure 2. Classification of patent application areas in the global blockchain industry in 2021

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

Currently, the total value of patents in the global blockchain industry in 2021 is $ 1.131 billion. Among them, the number of blockchain patent applications under $ 30,000 is the largest with around 81.25 million. The second is a blockchain patent valued at $ 30,000 to $ 300,000, with a total of 560 patent applications. In addition, the number of blockchain patent applications from $ 300,000 to $ 600,000 is 7, the number of blockchain patent applications from $ 600,000 to $ 3 million is 11, and the number of blockchain patent applications over $ 3 million is 9.

Figure 3. Total value and distribution of patent value in the global blockchain patent market

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

(2) Breakdown of Korean blockchain patent industry in 2010

In 2021, our blockchain country presents a new situation in which the development of advanced technologies continues to occur and the application industry continues to grow. Over 90% of Korean blockchain-related patent applications are concentrated between 2018 and 2021. The number of applications in 2021 is 15,985, which is lower than last year, but still higher than that of last year. 'last year.

Figure 4. Number of Chinese blockchain patent applications from 2006 to 2021

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

Looking at the distribution of currently pending blockchain patents, the blockchain patent portfolio includes industries such as data modeling and computer security, finance and control. In terms of segmentation, data recovery, database modeling and data system modeling took first place with 29.91%, and IT systems security devices with 21.04%. It should also be noted that the blockchain accounts for 12.58% of the financial, insurance, tax advisory, corporate or income tax activities, and 11.24% of the payment process, planning or procurement. Business services, management management and other groups also make up a certain percentage.

Figure 5. The group is covered by Chinese blockchain patents

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

From the perspective of the filing companies, more than 1,250 companies are involved in patent applications. It is a company that has filed numerous patents for technology, finance, internet, communications and blockchain. The top five companies with the most patent applications since late 2021 are Tencent Technology (2028), Baidu Netcom Technology (1980), Alipay (997), Ping An Technology (757), Ant Blockchain Technology (264). .

Figure 6. Current status of companies using blockchain technology in China

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

Currently, 15,171 of the 15,985 blockchain patents have been filed in China by China. The participation in the patent application in 2021 includes many provinces, and in terms of distribution areas, the most common blockchain applications are in Guangdong (4434), Beijing (4384), Zhejiang (1342), Hong Kong (1265 ), Shanghai (847), and Jiangsu Province (615), the five provinces with the highest number of applications in mainland China, are the same as last year, and also completed the blockchain patent application in Sichuan, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan and other areas. Good ranking for 2021.

Figure 7. Regional distribution of blockchain technology in China in 2021

Data Source: Wisdom Buds, Zero One Think Tank

It should be noted that the regions where the mainland of Korea has filed blockchain patent applications are mainly concentrated in three regions: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Guangdong and Beijing. Each region has its advantages and disadvantages because each region has a different activity.

Guangdong province has the most blockchain patents. Ping An Group, Tencent Technology, OneConnect, WeBank and other companies include the majority of applications in Guangdong Province, and business, tax, education, sports and entertainment, disease treatment, security and farm businesses are over. other states.

As the capital of Beijing, the development of blockchain technology is a key part of the government's work. Besides, Beijing companies include China Bank of China, China Unicom, State Grid, Baidu, Minglue Technology, Rece Technology, etc. Beijing is ahead of other cities in finance, industry, electricity, transportation, furniture, electrical appliances and other industries. . auto.

Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai are the regions with the most blockchain startups, leading the way for legal, hotel, real estate, payment and digital assets under blockchain patents. Companies representing this area include Ant Group, Complex Beauty Technology, Longz Technology, and Theta Technology.