Core Insights - Circle Internet Group has launched the public testnet for Arc, an open Layer-1 blockchain aimed at increasing economic activity onchain [1] - Arc is described as a new "Economic Operating System" for the internet, featuring predictable dollar-based fees, sub-second transaction finality, configurable privacy, and integration with Circle's platform [1] Industry Collaboration - The network has attracted collaboration from over 100 institutions, including major players like BlackRock, Visa, and Amazon Web Services, as well as banks and fintech companies [2] - Early partners include significant financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, BNY Mellon, and Société Générale, who will experiment with tokenized assets and programmable FX settlement [4] Financial Infrastructure - Circle aims to create a unified, programmable financial infrastructure for the global economy, enabling faster and more inclusive financial systems [3][7] - The testnet features integration with global payments and fintech leaders, targeting cross-border payments and merchant settlements [5] Governance and Future Vision - Circle plans to transition Arc towards distributed, community-driven governance, expanding validator participation and ensuring transparent operations [6] - The vision for Arc is to serve as a shared, neutral layer of economic infrastructure that connects regulated institutions, fintech innovators, and decentralized networks [7]
Circle Launches Arc Testnet With BlackRock, Visa, and AWS — A New Era for Onchain Finance?