Circle's Arc Chain Brings Stablecoin-Focused Blockchain with USDC as Gas

Arc Chain is a Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for stablecoin finance, payments, and onchain financial markets. Circle describes it as an economic operating system for stablecoin-based activity.

USDC serves as gas on the Arc network, providing a stable fee design for businesses that want predictable network accounting.

The network launched with Proof of Authority and a permissioned validator set in September 2026, but a possible shift toward Proof of Stake is discussed for 2027. If implemented, ARC could play a larger role in validator security, staking, and governance.