Arc Public Mainnet Launches with Dozens of Projects Ready to Deploy
Circle's USDC chain, Arc, has gone live as its public mainnet on September 16, 2026. This new blockchain is designed specifically for financial markets, stablecoin payments, and AI-driven economic activity. Dozens of projects are already lined up to deploy on the network.
Arc aims to be the 'economic OS for the internet,' an open Layer 1 network that uses USDC as its native asset for transaction fees. This approach provides predictable costs for businesses and institutions instead of volatile token prices. The network also boasts sub-second transaction finality, enabling fast settlement and trading.
The Arc Mainnet Update includes a composable app framework, AI-powered tools, and interfaces designed to help developers navigate the ecosystem. Circle has unveiled a full product suite built around the platform, with security provided by a founding validator cohort backed by institutions and builders already integrated ahead of launch.