OpenVPP tests real-time energy settlement using stablecoins and machine-to-machine payments on Arc testnet.
DeFi & Yields ·
OpenVPP has begun testing real-time energy settlement using stablecoins and machine-to-machine payments on Arc's testnet. Arc is Circle's stablecoin-native layer-1 blockchain designed around USDC as native gas, offering sub-second settlement and deterministic finality via the Malachite consensus engine. The chain integrates built-in foreign exchange capabilities and is backed by a $222 million token raise from investors including a16z, BlackRock, and Apollo.
The testnet deployment represents an early application of Arc's infrastructure for automated energy transactions, where payment settlement occurs in real time without relying on volatile native tokens. Arc's design prioritizes institutional use cases in payments and capital markets, with early ecosystem partners including Aave, Aerodrome, and Visa.
Key uncertainties remain around Arc's regulatory status, the timeline for its planned transition from proof-of-authority to proof-of-stake, and whether stablecoin-based settlement will gain meaningful adoption against competing infrastructure. OpenVPP's specific role, funding, and rollout timeline beyond the testnet phase have not been disclosed.