WuBlockchain
Circle launched Arc's public mainnet on Sept. 16, a Layer 1 blockchain that uses USDC for transaction fees rather than a volatile native token. Meme-token trading showed up within hours via the Argus launchpad.
Why it matters
A USDC-native gas model is the structural pitch. By pegging fees to a regulated, dollar-denominated asset, Arc sidesteps the classic L1 bootstrap tax where early users absorb token unlocks and price slippage just to transact. Circle is betting stable-fee settlement pulls both payments-rail users and speculative capital onto the same chain.
Market impact
Argus reported $155.78 million in rolling 24-hour volume and $228.54 million cumulative at 12:35 UTC on launch day. That is a real demand signal, but mostly from meme traders front-running the early liquidity pools, the same crowd that rotates through every new L1. The harder read comes later: whether Arc settles real stablecoin payment flow at scale, or just absorbs the first speculative rotation.
Frequently asked questions
-
What is Arc and who launched it?
Arc is a Layer 1 blockchain launched by Circle, the issuer of USDC, on Sept. 16. It uses USDC for transaction fees instead of a volatile native token.
-
How much trading volume did Arc see on day one?
Argus, a token launchpad on Arc, reported $155.78M in rolling 24-hour volume and $228.54M cumulative at 12:35 UTC on launch day.
-
Why does USDC-native gas matter for a new L1?
Pegging fees to a regulated dollar asset skips the classic L1 bootstrap tax, where early users absorb native token unlocks and price slippage just to transact.
-
Where did most of Arc's day-one activity come from?
Mostly meme-token trading through the Argus launchpad, the same front-running crowd that typically rotates through every new L1 launch.
-
What is the harder test for Arc after launch week?
Whether Arc settles real stablecoin payment flow at scale rather than just absorbing the first meme rotation that front-runs every new chain.
TheBlock
CryptoSlate
Crypto News
CoinDesk
Lookonchain