--- title: Circle Launches Arc Mainnet with USDC as Native Gas Token url: >- https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/articles/2026-09-16-circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-usdc-as-native-gas-token canonical: >- https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/articles/2026-09-16-circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-usdc-as-native-gas-token date: '2026-09-16T19:20:49.519869+00:00' category: defi tags: - circle - arc - usdc - stablecoins - blockchain source: CoinTelegraph source_url: >- https://cointelegraph.com/news/circle-arc-mainnet-launch-usdc-native-gas?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound sources: - name: CoinTelegraph url: >- https://cointelegraph.com/news/circle-arc-mainnet-launch-usdc-native-gas?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound - name: The Block url: >- https://www.theblock.co/news/ecosystems/2026-09-16-circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-blackrock-and-visa-among-validators-mints-10-billion-arc-tokens-415250 - name: Decrypt url: >- https://decrypt.co/378374/circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-blackrock-dtcc-and-visa-as-validators publisher: CryptoCatalyst summary: >- Circle's Arc mainnet is now live, using USDC as the native gas token and supporting over 20 fiat stablecoins and 20+ blockchains. BlackRock, DTCC, and Visa are validators. image: >- https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/images/articles/2026-09-16-circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-usdc-as-native-gas-token.webp generated_by: automated editorial pipeline --- # Circle Launches Arc Mainnet with USDC as Native Gas Token Circle has launched its Arc mainnet, making USDC the native gas token for transaction fees. The network supports more than 20 fiat stablecoins and connects to over 20 blockchains. Circle has also minted 10 billion ARC tokens, though a public launch is still undecided. Major institutions including BlackRock, DTCC, and Visa serve as validators on the permissioned network. ## Key takeaways - Circle launched the Arc mainnet with USDC as the native gas token for transaction fees. - The Arc network supports over 20 fiat stablecoins and connects to more than 20 blockchains. - Circle minted 10 billion ARC tokens, though a public launch is still undecided. - Major institutions BlackRock, DTCC, and Visa are validators on the permissioned Arc network. - The use of USDC as the gas token aims to reduce transaction costs and improve efficiency. Circle has officially launched the Arc mainnet, introducing USDC as the native gas token for transaction fees. This move marks a significant step in Circle's efforts to integrate stablecoins more deeply into blockchain infrastructure. The Arc network supports over 20 fiat-backed stablecoins and connects to more than 20 different blockchains, enhancing interoperability and usability across the crypto ecosystem. ## Why USDC as the Native Gas Token? Circle's decision to use USDC as the native gas token on the Arc mainnet is strategic. USDC is one of the most widely adopted stablecoins, known for its stability and regulatory compliance. By leveraging USDC, Circle aims to reduce transaction costs and improve efficiency for users and developers. This approach aligns with Circle's broader vision of making stablecoins a cornerstone of the digital economy. ## Institutional Validators and ARC Token Mint Circle confirmed it completed the genesis mint of 10 billion ARC tokens this week, although a public launch of the token remains undecided. The validator set for the Arc network is permissioned, with major players including BlackRock, DTCC, and Visa involved. This indicates a high level of institutional support and credibility. The involvement of these financial giants underscores the network's potential for enterprise-grade applications. ## What It Means for Stablecoin Adoption The launch of the Arc mainnet with USDC as the gas token could accelerate the adoption of stablecoins in various applications. Developers can now build decentralized applications (dApps) that leverage USDC for transactions, potentially reducing the complexity and cost associated with traditional cryptocurrencies. This could be particularly beneficial for cross-border payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), and other use cases where stable value is crucial. For those interested in the broader implications of stablecoin adoption, our article on [Solayer's Visa card for USDC payments in the US](/articles/2026-05-16-solayer-launches-visa-card-for-usdc-payments-in-the-us) provides additional context on the growing use of USDC in everyday transactions. Additionally, the [integration of Circle with Solana Router AI for USDC payments](/articles/2026-08-25-solana-router-ai-integrates-with-circle-for-usdc-payments) highlights the increasing interoperability of stablecoins across different blockchain platforms. ## FAQ ### What is the Arc mainnet and why is it significant? The Arc mainnet is a blockchain network launched by Circle that uses USDC as the native gas token. It is significant because it enhances the interoperability and usability of stablecoins across multiple blockchains, potentially reducing transaction costs and improving efficiency. ### How does USDC being the native gas token benefit users? Using USDC as the native gas token reduces transaction costs and improves efficiency for users and developers. It also leverages the stability and regulatory compliance of USDC, making it a reliable choice for various applications. ### What are the implications of Circle minting 10 billion ARC tokens? Circle has minted 10 billion ARC tokens, although a public launch is still undecided. This indicates a potential future role for these tokens within the Arc ecosystem, possibly enhancing its functionality and adoption. ### Who are the validators in the Arc network? The validator set for the Arc network is permissioned and includes major institutions like BlackRock, DTCC, and Visa. This involvement suggests a high level of institutional support and credibility for the network. ## Sources This article synthesizes reporting from [CoinTelegraph](https://cointelegraph.com/news/circle-arc-mainnet-launch-usdc-native-gas?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound), [The Block](https://www.theblock.co/news/ecosystems/2026-09-16-circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-blackrock-and-visa-among-validators-mints-10-billion-arc-tokens-415250), [Decrypt](https://decrypt.co/378374/circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-blackrock-dtcc-and-visa-as-validators), written by an automated editorial pipeline. See https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/editorial-policy. ## How to cite CryptoCatalyst.news, "Circle Launches Arc Mainnet with USDC as Native Gas Token", 2026-09-16, https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/articles/2026-09-16-circle-launches-arc-mainnet-with-usdc-as-native-gas-token