Circle’s Arc Blockchain to Launch with Institutional Access via Fireblocks

Circle’s Arc blockchain network is set to debut with day-one institutional access through Fireblocks, marking a strategic MOVE as competition in the stablecoin sector intensifies. Fireblocks, a New York-based custody and tokenization infrastructure provider serving over 2,400 financial institutions, confirmed its integration with Arc from launch—a departure from the typical wait for ecosystem maturity.

The layer-1 blockchain, designed specifically for stablecoin finance, will offer tailored settlement and compliance features for institutional participants. A public testnet is slated for release this fall, with a full launch expected by year-end.

Circle’s expansion follows a landmark 2025, including a $1.05 billion IPO in June—the first by a stablecoin issuer—and a 53% year-over-year revenue surge to $658 million in Q2. USDC circulation grew 90% to $61.3 billion during the same period.