Circle has opened the Arc mainnet as it works to broaden the role of its USDC stablecoin across network activity. Arc uses a unified USDC balance for both payments and transaction fees, linking everyday transfers with the cost of operating on the network. The design is intended to support USDC utility, but Circle’s ability to compete with its rival will depend on generating additional demand for the network and its token-based payment activity. The mainnet launch therefore marks an infrastructure milestone while leaving adoption as a key factor in Arc’s longer-term position. CryptoSlate reported the development on Sept. 17, 2026. The news is directly relevant to USDC market participants tracking Circle’s efforts to expand the stablecoin’s use beyond existing applications.
