Knowledge mapCircle Arc: a blockchain for stablecoin applicationsExternal projects

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Circle Arc: a blockchain for stablecoin applications

Understand the network, then distinguish it from ArcBlock ARC.

Signed transactionSubmits
Network processingUpdates
On-chain state

Relationship sketch · arrows show responsibilities and connections, not a complete protocol sequence.

Circle's Arc is a blockchain for stablecoin applications. Stablecoins aim to maintain value relative to a reference asset; USDC references the US dollar. Arc is a Layer 1, a base chain with its own consensus, and supports Ethereum's contract execution environment, the EVM. Circle announced public mainnet on September 16, 2026. ArcBlock publishes this independent learning guide; Circle's network and ArcBlock's products are separate.

Start with the network's responsibilities

Arc's documented architecture separates Malachite consensus from Reth execution. Consensus establishes accepted blocks; execution applies transactions to state. The current documentation describes a permissioned validator set: participation in consensus requires admission. EVM compatibility helps reuse tools, while Arc-specific rules still matter when porting contracts.

Follow USDC gas to understand execution fees, finality for confirmation, and network selection for official connection resources. Privacy is a separate roadmap topic.

Which ARC were you looking for?

ArcBlock ARC means Agentic Realm Computer: an application runtime. ArcBlock Chain is ArcBlock's blockchain. Similar names do not establish affiliation or make an integration automatic. The name guide also covers other products called Arc.

Network status and feature availability checked September 29, 2026.

Follow one USDC operation

First understand Ethereum accounts and signed requests. For a USDC operation on Circle Arc, identify the network and the interface used for the amount; verify who authorizes the operation, account for USDC gas, and inspect execution success before relying on finality. Finality settles the recorded outcome; it does not turn a failed call into a successful payment.

Sources and further reading

Circle Arc and ArcBlock

Circle Arc is a blockchain designed around stablecoin use. ArcBlock Chain is an application-oriented L1, and ArcBlock ARC is an application runtime. The shared name does not mean affiliation or interchangeability. Use the chain-design comparison to compare chain responsibilities and Ethereum and ArcBlock to understand application–asset separation. An ARC–Circle Arc integration should be evaluated against its actual interfaces, network and observed behavior.

Check your understanding

Is Circle Arc the same product as ArcBlock ARC?

No. Circle Arc is a blockchain; ArcBlock ARC is an application runtime.