Circle raises $222M for Arc blockchain token at $3B valuation — BlackRock, Apollo, a16z among backers!

Circle has raised $222 million in a presale of its ARC token, valuing the new Arc blockchain network at $3 billion. The round drew a marquee lineup of institutional and crypto-native investors: BlackRock, Apollo Funds, a16z crypto, ARK Invest, Bullish, Haun Ventures, Intercontinental Exchange, and Standard Chartered Ventures.

Arc is being positioned as a blockchain optimized for stablecoin-based capital markets and regulated financial activity — covering tokenized assets, cross-border settlement, and onchain finance. Circle published the Arc whitepaper alongside the funding announcement, describing ARC as a "native coordination asset" for governance, validator security, and network operations — a role analogous to ETH on Ethereum or SOL on Solana.

The raise marks Circle's most ambitious move beyond USDC and payments infrastructure, signaling the stablecoin issuer's intent to build the…