Circle's Arc Blockchain to Launch on September 16 with Major Institutional Validators
Circle Internet Group has announced the launch of its Arc blockchain on September 16, 2026. The network will be operated by a permissioned validator set at launch, with plans to expand towards broader participation and eventual proof-of-stake governance. Circle's Arc is a Layer-1 network that uses USDC as its native gas asset, with EVM compatibility, sub-second finality, and an in-protocol FX engine called StableFX.
The 11 institutions joining Circle in the initial validator set are BlackRock, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Galaxy, Global Payments, Intercontinental Exchange, Mastercard, MoneyGram, SBI Group, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo Corporation, and Visa. The company has also outlined three institutional integrations that are separate from the validator function: BlackRock's tokenized institutional liquidity fund BUIDL will be deployed on Arc, DTCC will collaborate with Circle to enable tokenization of DTC-custodied assets on Arc, and BNY and Standard Chartered are exploring additional integrations spanning digital asset custody, stablecoin access and settlement services.