Arc protocol launching public mainnet on September 16 following private trials with 100+ institutional partners.
Tech & Launches ·
Arc, Circle's stablecoin-native layer-1 blockchain, is launching its public mainnet on September 16 following a private trial period that involved over 100 institutional and ecosystem participants. The chain uses USDC and other fiat-backed stablecoins as primary assets rather than a volatile native gas token, targeting institutional payments and capital markets with sub-second settlement and predictable transaction costs.
The network operates initially under a proof-of-authority model while working toward decentralized proof-of-stake, with plans to address post-quantum security risks. Circle raised $222 million for an ARC governance token at a $3 billion fully diluted valuation, backed by investors including a16z, BlackRock, Apollo, and ICE. Early partners span major protocols and financial institutions such as Aave, Aerodrome, and Visa's stablecoin settlement initiatives.
Questions remain around the degree of centralization, regulatory treatment, and how the chain will compete with existing stablecoin-heavy networks. The built-in foreign exchange engine and integration with Circle's broader payment infrastructure represent the core differentiation, though long-term adoption by institutions will determine whether these features drive meaningful ecosystem activity.