Circle Launches Arc Testnet With Over 100 Partners

Circle has launched Arc, a new layer-1 testnet built to function as what the company calls an “economic operating system for the internet.” The network aims to merge digital payments, stablecoins, and financial infrastructure into one open platform.

Good to Know

• Over 100 global firms are participating, including Visa, Mastercard, and BlackRock.
• Arc offers dollar-based transaction fees, sub-second finality, and configurable privacy.
• The testnet integrates directly with Circle’s platform for lending, FX, and global payments.

More than 100 participants from finance, payments, and technology sectors have joined the testnet, positioning Arc as one of the most ambitious blockchain initiatives of 2025. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said Arc is designed to connect real-world finance to digital economies worldwide:

“With Arc’s public testnet, we’re seeing remarkable early momentum as leading companies, protocols, and projects begin to build and test. Combined, these companies reach billions of users, move, exchange, and custody hundreds of trillions in assets and payments, and support local economies across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. This geographic diversity highlights a defining strength of Arc: its purpose-built to connect every local market to the global economy.”

How Will Arc Work in Practice?

Arc is built to provide fast, predictable, and cost-stable transactions through dollar-denominated fees and sub-second settlement speeds. The network’s architecture supports flexible privacy configurations, allowing institutions and developers to comply with local regulations while maintaining transparency.

The testnet integrates directly with Circle’s existing platform, enabling real-time settlement for lending, capital markets, foreign exchange, and global payment operations.

Which Companies Are Involved in Arc’s Testnet?

The participant list includes some of the largest names in global finance and blockchain infrastructure:

1. Capital markets firms: Apollo and BNY
2. Financial institutions: BlackRock and Goldman Sachs
3. Payments networks: Visa and Mastercard
4. Stablecoin issuers: Partners from Australia, Brazil, and Japan
5. Technology partners: Alchemy, Chainlink, and Anthropic
6. Liquidity providers: Coinbase and Uniswap

Together, these collaborators represent billions in daily transaction volume and a shared goal of creating a unified framework for digital money movement.

FAQ

What is Circle’s Arc testnet?

Arc is a layer-1 blockchain network created by Circle to serve as a global platform for digital payments, finance, and tokenized assets.

What makes Arc different?

It uses dollar-based transaction fees, offers sub-second finality, and supports configurable privacy for enterprise and retail applications.

Who is participating?

Over 100 firms, including Visa, Mastercard, BlackRock, Apollo, and Goldman Sachs, are involved in the testnet.

When will Arc go live?

The network is currently in public testing, with a full launch expected after performance and compliance evaluations.