Circle is stepping beyond stablecoin issuance and into blockchain infrastructure with the upcoming debut of Arc – its own layer-1 network compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine.
The company says Arc is built for high-speed, enterprise-grade financial activity, from payments to capital markets, with USDC playing a central role as the network’s transaction fee currency.
A Stablecoin at the Core
Rather than using a traditional cryptocurrency as gas, Arc will make USDC the default medium for paying transaction fees. This approach is meant to streamline payments while giving businesses a predictable cost model. Arc’s planned features include instant finality, integrated stablecoin FX capabilities, and optional privacy settings.
Revenue Surge and IPO Impact
The announcement arrived alongside Circle’s Q2 financials, showing $658 million in revenue and reserve income – a 53% jump from last year. The company also reported a $482 million net loss, which it attributed to IPO-related charges such as stock-based compensation and adjustments to convertible debt values. Circle raised $1.05 billion in its June listing on the NYSE, where shares opened at $69, surged past $292 later that month, and have since settled near $161.
USDC’s Expanding Reach
Currently valued at $65.6 billion, USDC operates across 24 blockchains, with Ethereum hosting the majority at $42.6 billion. By making USDC the lifeblood of Arc, Circle aims to deepen its role in blockchain-based commerce while keeping interoperability with other networks intact.
Rising Competition in Network Development
Arc’s arrival adds Circle to a growing list of companies – from fintechs to trading platforms – creating their own blockchain networks. Stripe is building “Tempo” in collaboration with Paradigm, Robinhood has launched an L2 focused on tokenization, and Shopify recently enabled USDC payments through Coinbase’s Base network.
Looking Ahead
If Arc’s launch goes as planned later this year, Circle will not only control one of the world’s largest stablecoins but also operate the infrastructure that moves it – potentially reshaping how stablecoins function within both crypto and traditional finance.
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Source: https://coindoo.com/usdc-issuer-circle-to-launch-new-blockchain-for-global-payments/