Arc aka Arc network, Arc L1
A Layer 1 blockchain built by Circle, optimized for stablecoin payments. EVM-compatible, ~1-second finality via Malachite BFT, uses USDC as the gas token.
Every term we use, defined briefly. Anchor links throughout the site point here.
A Layer 1 blockchain built by Circle, optimized for stablecoin payments. EVM-compatible, ~1-second finality via Malachite BFT, uses USDC as the gas token.
Circle's native mechanism for burning USDC on one chain and minting it on another, moving USDC between chains (Ethereum, Solana, Arc, etc.) without third-party bridge risk.
The financial-tech company that issues USDC and built Arc. Also publishes the Circle Agent Stack (CLI, agent wallets, services marketplace, skills).
The fee paid to a blockchain's validators to include your transaction. Most chains charge gas in a volatile native token (ETH, SOL). Arc charges in USDC; see the concept page on USDC-as-gas.
The Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus engine used by Arc. Provides deterministic ~1-second finality (vs. probabilistic finality on chains like Bitcoin or Ethereum).
See also: Arc
A cryptocurrency designed to hold a stable value; most are pegged 1:1 to a fiat currency like the US dollar. USDC, USDT, and USDS are the largest by market cap.
See also: USDC
A stablecoin issued by Circle that is fully backed 1:1 by US dollar reserves (cash and short-duration Treasuries). On Arc, USDC is both what you send and what you pay fees in.
See also: stablecoin, Arc, gas
An HTTP protocol where a server responds with status 402 Payment Required and a USDC price; the client pays, retries, and gets 200 OK. Turns any API endpoint into a paid endpoint without API keys.