Arc Blockchain Launches with Focus on Machine-Based Transactions
Circle's Arc blockchain has launched as a Layer-1 platform built for stablecoins and AI agents, with a unique focus on supporting machine-based transactions.
Nikhil Chandhok, Circle's Chief Product and Technology Officer, emphasized that Arc's growth strategy does not rely on poaching users from Ethereum, but rather aims to expand the overall market by catering to emerging AI agent needs.
The Agent Stack, rolled out in May 2026, provides AI agents with access to primitives like provenance proofs, reputation systems, and nanopayments. Arc's design features USDC as its native gas token, eliminating volatility friction associated with gas fees on other networks.
Arc's validator set includes prominent institutional players such as BlackRock, Visa, and Mastercard, supporting the network at launch. With a fixed initial supply of 10 billion tokens and a $222 million private presale at $0.30 each, Circle aims to establish Arc as a major player in the blockchain space.