Circle Launches Arc, a Layer 1 Blockchain Built for Stablecoin Finance
Circle built Arc, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain for stablecoin payments, FX and tokenized assets, with its public mainnet opening September 16, 2026.
Why it matters
Arc represents an effort by a major stablecoin issuer to build dedicated blockchain infrastructure for institutional payments, FX and tokenized assets, with reported interest from large financial firms including BlackRock, Visa and Mastercard.
Key facts
Circle built Arc, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain designed for stablecoin finance.
Reported by CryptoPotato
Arc uses USDC to pay for gas.
Reported by CryptoPotato
Arc includes a built-in foreign exchange engine and opt-in privacy features.
Reported by Decrypt
CryptoPotato reports Arc was first announced in August 2025 with a public testnet launched in October 2025.
Reported by CryptoPotato
Decrypt reports the Arc public mainnet opened to the public on September 16, 2026.
Reported by Decrypt
BlackRock, Visa and Mastercard are reported to back Arc.
Reported by CryptoPotato
Rachel Mayer, VP of Product Management at Circle, said enterprise feedback called for predictable costs, deterministic settlement finality, and privacy compatible with real-world obligations.
Reported by Decrypt
President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law in July 2025, which Decrypt links to growing stablecoin adoption.
Reported by Decrypt
What happened
Circle, the issuer of USDC, has built Arc, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for stablecoin-based finance, according to CryptoPotato and Decrypt. CryptoPotato reports the protocol was first announced in August 2025, with a public testnet going live in October 2025, and says Arc has drawn backing from BlackRock, Visa and Mastercard. Decrypt reports the Arc public mainnet opened to the public on September 16, 2026, and quotes Rachel Mayer, VP of Product Management at Circle, saying enterprise feedback called for predictable costs, deterministic settlement finality, and privacy compatible with real-world obligations. Both outlets describe Arc as using USDC for gas and including a built-in FX mechanism and opt-in privacy features, and both say Circle built it to address infrastructure limits it sees in existing blockchains for institutional stablecoin use. Decrypt links growing stablecoin adoption to the GENIUS Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025.
How the story developed
- Resolution
Arc public mainnet opens
Decrypt reports the Arc mainnet opened to the public on September 16, 2026.
- First report
First report by CryptoPotato
Arc Blockchain Explained: Everything You Need to Know About Circle’s Layer 1
- Update
Circle announces Arc
CryptoPotato reports Arc was first announced in August 2025.
- Update
Arc public testnet goes live
CryptoPotato reports the testnet launched in October 2025.
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Decrypt
What Is Arc? The Stablecoin Blockchain From USDC Issuer Circle
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 17 Sept 2026, 14:19 UTC: CryptoPotato — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 17 Sept 2026, 14:40 UTC: Decrypt — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
- 19 Sept 2026, 12:48 UTC: CoinGape — 3 independent sources, 3 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Mastercard, Visa, United Arab Emirates, Solana, Binance, Donald Trump, Tether USDt
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| CryptoPotato Crypto media | Arc Blockchain Explained: Everything You Need to Know About Circle’s Layer 1 | Original | |
| Decrypt Crypto media | What Is Arc? The Stablecoin Blockchain From USDC Issuer Circle | Independent | |
| CoinGape Crypto media | Circle Review 2026 – Fees, Features and Security | Independent |
Related events
Fed staff note proposes framework for classifying stablecoins in M1 or M2 money supply
Federal Reserve researchers outlined a framework for including payment stablecoins in US monetary aggregates, dependent on economic use and subject to reserve double-counting adjustments.
Circle's Arc Mainnet Goes Live
Circle to acquire Tazapay for $400 million to expand USDC cross-border payments
Circle agreed to acquire Singapore-based Tazapay in a $400 million all-stock deal expected to close in 2027.
