Circle is planning its next big move in crypto. The company behind $USDC is now working on a new blockchain project called Arc. At a recent event “Circle in Seoul”, Jeremy Allaire shared updates about the project. He said Arc is already running on testnet and could become a major part of Circle’s future.
吴说获悉，Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire 在首尔活动 Circle in Seoul 演讲中提到，Circle 正推进原生网络 Arc，目前处于测试网阶段，并探索发行网络代币，用于治理、激励及经济利益对齐，后续希望逐步过渡至 PoS 机制。他表示，这可能是自创建 $USDC 以来，Circle 最重大的平台级战略举措。…
— 吴说区块链 (@wublockchain12) April 14, 2026
He also revealed that Circle is exploring a native token for the network. While the company may shift to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system later. This could be Circle’s biggest step since launching $USDC.
Arc Aims to Build a New Financial Layer
Arc is designed as a new kind of blockchain. Circle calls it an “economic operating system.” In simple terms, it is meant to handle money, contracts and financial services all in one place. The network focuses on real-world use cases. These include payments, tokenized assets and digital markets.
Unlike many blockchains, Arc is built around stablecoins. $USDC will likely play a key role in the system. For example, it may be used to pay fees on the network. This can help keep costs stable and predictable. Because of this design, Arc is aiming more at businesses and institutions, not just retail users.
Native Token Could Power the Network
Circle is also exploring the idea of a native token for Arc. This token could be used for several purposes. It may help with governance, allowing users to vote on changes. It could also be used for rewards and incentives, encouraging people to support the network.
In addition, it may help align the interests of users, developers and partners. Right now, this plan is still under discussion. But it shows that Circle is thinking about how to grow and manage the network in the long term.
Shift to Proof-of-Stake Planned
Another key idea is moving to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system. In PoS, users can help secure the network by staking tokens instead of using heavy computing power. This method is often more energy efficient than older systems like Proof-of-Work. Circle says this shift would happen gradually over time. The goal is to make the network more scalable and efficient. If successful, this could help Arc handle large amounts of activity from global users.
Strong Backing From Big Institutions
Arc is not being built alone. Circle is working with many major partners. Reports say over 100 institutions are already involved or interested. These include big names like BlackRock, HSBC and Visa. This level of support shows that Arc is targeting large scale adoption. Circle believes the future of finance will run on blockchain systems like this.
A Long-Term Vision for Digital Finance
Circle sees Arc as more than just another blockchain. It views it as a foundation for the next phase of the internet. The idea is to create a system where money, contracts and services all work together smoothly.
For now, Arc is still in testing. But the company hopes to move toward a mainnet launch soon. In simple words, Circle is aiming big. With Arc, it wants to build a system that supports real-world finance on blockchain. Furthermore, if it succeeds, this could change how digital money is used in the future.