Circle unveils Arc blockchain platform, touting instant settlement and quantum-ready security
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire announced the launch of Arc, a new blockchain designed for sub-second finality, dollar-denominated fees and built-in compliance, with post-quantum cryptography.
Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and chief executive of Circle, described Arc as the most consequential platform the company has launched, likening it to an Android-like operating system for the global economy. Launched on Sept. 16, Arc offers dollar-based transaction fees, settlement that finalizes in under a second, and confidentiality paired with compliance, aiming to satisfy central-bank and regulator standards. More than 100 institutional partners, such as BlackRock, Standard Chartered, Mastercard, Visa and Intercontinental Exchange, serve as founding validators.
Allaire highlighted Arc's post-quantum cryptography, making it the first public blockchain built with quantum-resistant safeguards. He also discussed the broader shift toward programmable money, tokenized contracts and AI-driven agents that could reshape how firms operate. The rollout marks Circle's move from issuing USDC to providing the infrastructure for a future "agentic economy" over the next decade or so.
Why it matters
Arc could redefine digital finance by delivering instant, regulator-friendly settlement and preparing the ecosystem for quantum threats.
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