Arc
Circle Internet Group, Inc.
Data verified on unchanged since the sources
Worth it if you build stablecoin payments or FX and want a Layer 1 with USDC as gas and predictable, dollar-denominated fees, from Circle.
Avoid it if you're an end user or need something production-ready: Arc is still in testnet and remains infrastructure for developers and enterprises.
Arc is an open, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain built by Circle (the USDC issuer) for stablecoin finance, using USDC as the native gas token with predictable, dollar-denominated fees. It offers deterministic sub-second finality, designed for enterprise-grade payments, FX and capital markets. Announced in August 2025, it launched its public testnet in late October 2025 and remains in a pre-production phase.
Data & conditions
| Service type | Stablecoin infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not disclosed |
| Stablecoins | USDC |
| Custody model | non-custodial |
| Customer type | Fintech, Enterprise, Developers |
| Fund custody | Self-custody (funds in your control) |
| Supported countries | US, EEA, UK, APAC |
| Segment | B2B |
| MiCA / License status | Not disclosed |
Strengths
- Built by Circle, the USDC issuer (a NYSE-listed company), with strong regulatory and financial pedigree.
- USDC as native gas: dollar-denominated, predictable fees with no exposure to volatile tokens.
- Self-custody: funds stay in your wallet — the platform cannot touch them.
Weaknesses
- Still in a pre-production phase (testnet): mainnet and real-world adoption yet to consolidate.
- B2B infrastructure: not an end-consumer product.
- No notable sovereignty drawback documented.
Verdict
Score 4.0/5, very strong profile. In its favour: built by Circle, the USDC issuer (a NYSE-listed company), with strong regulatory and financial pedigree. The trade-off to weigh: still in a pre-production phase (testnet): mainnet and real-world adoption yet to consolidate.
On the Sovereignty lens the score is 5.0/5 (outstanding): the strength is fund control (5.0/5).
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
Who built Arc?
Arc is Circle's Layer 1 blockchain — Circle is the company that issues the USDC stablecoin and is listed on the NYSE (ticker CRCL).
Can an individual use Arc?
No. Arc is network infrastructure for stablecoin payments and finance aimed at developers and enterprises, not a consumer product.
Sources
- Official service page Descrizione Data verified on Jul 17, 2026
- circle.com Data verified on Jul 17, 2026
- theblock.co Testnet Data verified on Jul 17, 2026