Circle launches Arc mainnet with USDC as native gas token
Reported by Cointelegraph · AI-assisted summary by ChikoCorp AI News Desk
AI-generated summary based on the linked source; not independently verified. This is not investment advice. Verify market-moving details at the original publisher before acting. See our editorial policy, AI content policy, and financial disclaimer.
Summary
Circle, the issuer of USDC, has launched the mainnet of Arc, a layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin payments and financial markets with a focus on agentic transactions. Arc uses USDC as its native gas token and is EVM-compatible, offering sub-second settlement finality. The network supports over 20 fiat stablecoins and tokenized assets such as BlackRock’s BUIDL and Circle’s USYC, along with interoperability with more than 20 blockchains via Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol.
Why it matters
According to Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Arc represents the most significant launch in the company’s history since USDC itself, aiming to serve as stablecoin-native infrastructure for developers and institutions. The network is positioned to support programmable money, global markets, and complex economic activity, potentially influencing financial market integration with blockchain technology.
Key context
Arc's public testnet was launched in October 2025 with participation from over 100 companies, including BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, and Visa. Prior to the public mainnet, more than 100 institutional and ecosystem builders took part in a private mainnet. Circle plans to expand network participation and transition from Proof of Authority to Proof of Stake by 2027.
Key numbers and entities
Key entities include Circle, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, Visa, and the stablecoins USDC, EURC, JPYC, KRW1, and TRYB. The genesis mint of 10 billion ARC tokens was completed this week but does not imply a public token launch commitment.
What remains unclear
The source does not clarify the timeline or specific plans for a public ARC token launch, nor detailed operational mechanics of the cross-chain interactions. It also does not explain how institutional participants will engage in network operations after broader participation begins.