What Is Arc? The Stablecoin Blockchain From USDC Issuer Circle

In brief

• Arc is a blockchain built by USDC issuer Circle for stablecoin-focused applications.
• It uses USDC for gas, features a built-in FX engine, and enables opt-in privacy.
• A public mainnet launch is expected on September 16, 2026, plus an ARC token has been announced.

Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, has launched a new blockchain platform called Arc. Unlike blockchains like Ethereum or Solana, Arc is a layer-1 network designed specifically to support stablecoin-based applications.

Stablecoins are tokens whose value is tied to fiat currencies such as the dollar. Arc is Circle’s effort to address the infrastructure challenges that limit the adoption of stablecoins at an institutional scale.

"We've helped enterprises and builders use USDC across dozens of networks,” Rachel Mayer, VP of Product Management at Circle, told Decrypt. “The consistent feedback has been: make costs predictable, settlement finality deterministic, and privacy compatible with real-world obligations.”

This article will explain what Arc is, how it works, and what Circle says sets it apart from other blockchain platforms.

Why Circle built Arc

While a part of the crypto market for years, stablecoins like USDT and USDC have seen growing interest and adoption following the passage of the GENIUS Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in July 2025.