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17h ago

Circle Unveils Arc, a Layer-1 Blockchain Powered by USDC

Purpose-built for stablecoin settlement with a focus on regulatory compliance, Arc will begin private testing in the coming weeks.

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Circle’s Arc Layer-1 blockchain advances stablecoin finance with enterprise focus
Photo: Kevin Rodriguez
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Overview

  • Circle’s second-quarter earnings showed revenue up 53% year-over-year to $658 million while a $482 million net loss reflected IPO-related non-cash charges and USDC circulation topped $65 billion.
  • Arc is an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain that uses USDC as its native gas token and offers a built-in FX engine, opt-in privacy controls and sub-second settlement for 3,000 to 10,000 transactions per second.
  • Circle plans to launch a private testnet for Arc in the coming weeks, follow with a public testnet in fall 2025 and target a mainnet launch in 2026.
  • The company acquired the Informal Systems Malachite consensus team and will open-source Arc’s core software, though critics warn its pre-approved validator model could centralize control.
  • Arc will integrate with the Circle Payments Network and existing USDC deployments, positioning more than 100 institutions for early adoption of the network.