Circle Unveils Arc Blockchain: A Game-Changer for USDC Payments in Institutional Finance

Circle, the fintech company behind USDC, announced its new Arc blockchain on August 12—a specialized Layer-1 network aimed at institutional payments and capital markets. This enterprise-grade platform is engineered to enhance stablecoin transactions while maintaining regulatory compliance, with a planned launch in late 2025.

The announcement follows Circle's recent $400 million funding round, marking a strategic MOVE beyond stablecoin issuance. "Stablecoin-powered systems are rapidly expanding across all major financial sectors," stated CEO Jeremy Allaire, emphasizing the increasing need for compliant bridges between traditional finance and digital assets.

Unlike general-purpose blockchains, Arc offers institutional-focused features such as selective transaction privacy and interoperability bridges. The network will function as dedicated infrastructure for USD-denominated settlements, with Circle positioning it as the "hub for stablecoin finance."