New blockchain, ARC, launched by Circle for enhancing swift and stable digital coin transactions
Circle Launches Specialised Stablecoin Blockchain, ARC
Circle, a leading fintech company, has announced the launch of its new blockchain, ARC. This Layer-1 blockchain is designed specifically to optimize stablecoin finance, with a focus on transactions involving USDC, Circle's popular stablecoin.
The unique features of ARC make it stand out in the crypto world. It uses USDC as a native gas token, providing predictable, stable, and dollar-denominated transaction fees. With sub-second transaction finality achieved through its Malachite consensus engine, ARC enables very fast transactions suitable for finance and payments.
ARC boasts high throughput, capable of processing up to 3,000 transactions per second with 20 validators, and up to 10,000 transactions per second with just four validators. This scalability supports financial applications, making it ideal for payments, cross-border transfers, and other financial transactions.
ARC is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing developers to build using familiar Ethereum tools. This compatibility facilitates easy porting and interoperability with the existing Ethereum ecosystem and broader multichain environments.
ARC also includes a built-in foreign exchange (FX) engine, an institutional-grade RFQ system that provides on-chain currency price discovery and 24/7 settlement. This feature facilitates cross-currency stablecoin trades and caters to institutional business needs.
Users and enterprises can opt into selective shielding of transaction amounts while keeping addresses transparent, balancing privacy with regulatory compliance requirements for institutional actors. ARC is fully integrated with Circle’s financial ecosystem, supporting the Circle Payments Network, multiple stablecoins, wallets, contracts, minting, and more.
Unlike general-purpose blockchains, ARC aims primarily to power payments, cross-border transfers, on-chain credit, capital markets, and tokenized asset infrastructures all optimized for stablecoins. If successful, ARC could set a new standard for stablecoin transactions, making them faster, cheaper, and easier to use.
The public testnet for ARC is planned for late 2025, with the mainnet beta expected in 2026. Circle's goal with ARC is to make stablecoins truly useful by building a blockchain designed just for them, facilitating international money transfers, and making digital money part of everyday life, not just a topic for tech enthusiasts.
- Circle's new Layer-1 blockchain, ARC, is designed specifically for optimizing stablecoin finance, focusing on transactions with USDC, Circle's popular stablecoin.
- ARC uses USDC as a native gas token, providing predictable, stable, and dollar-denominated transaction fees for a more efficient trading experience.
- With high throughput capable of processing up to 10,000 transactions per second, ARC is ideal for various financial applications, including payments, cross-border transfers, and investing in crypto.
- ARC is not only compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) but also includes an institutional-grade RFQ system that caters to stablecoin trading and institutional business needs in the world of finance and technology.
