Circle Unveils Arc Mainnet for USDC Payment and Fee Transactions

Circle has announced the public launch of its Arc mainnet on September 16. This move aims to make USDC (USD Coin) a more versatile and widely used stablecoin by allowing users to fund both payments and transaction fees from the same balance.

The Arc network is a layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for stablecoin transactions, with USDC as its primary asset. Unlike other Ethereum-compatible chains, where separate tokens are required for payment and fee transactions, Arc combines these functions into one, simplifying onboarding and balance management for users.

Circle's founding validator cohort includes major financial institutions such as BlackRock, DTCC, Visa, Mastercard, and Standard Chartered. This permissioned validator set is designed to provide a secure and stable environment for businesses considering blockchain settlement.