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Arc blockchain guides
Arc is Circle's EVM-compatible layer-1 blockchain where USDC pays for gas and transactions are final in under a second. arky is the trading terminal of Arc: memecoins, prediction markets and spot trading in USDC on Arc mainnet, with an AI agent. These guides cover everything you need to get started on Arc.
What is the Arc blockchain?
Arc is a layer-1 blockchain built by Circle, the issuer of USDC. Instead of ETH, its native gas token is USDC, so fees are priced in dollars and you never have to buy a volatile coin just to move money. Consensus runs on Malachite, a Tendermint-style BFT engine, and execution on Reth, so Ethereum contracts and wallets work with few changes. Blocks reach deterministic finality in under one second, with no reorganisation risk (Arc docs: system overview).
Arc mainnet went live on 16 September 2026 (Circle press release, 16 Sept 2026), after a public testnet that opened in October 2025. Circle positions it as "an internet-native operating system for economic activity" (arc.io): payments, stablecoin FX, tokenized assets, lending and, from day one, a very active memecoin and trading scene. Our guides answer the questions people actually type into Google about Arc, and every fact links to its source.
All Arc guides
- What is Arc?Circle's USDC-native layer 1, explained: gas, finality, EVM, validators, mainnet.
- Add Arc to MetaMaskChain ID 5042, RPC, explorer and the testnet values, step by step.
- Bridge USDC to ArcCCTP, exchanges and bridges: every way to get USDC onto Arc.
- Arc ecosystemApps, DEXs, launchpads, lending and wallets on Arc, with sources.
- Arc testnet faucetFree test USDC, chain ID 5042002, testnet vs mainnet.
- The Arc trading terminalHow arky turns Arc into one screen for memecoins, predictions and spot.
Arc at a glance
| Question | Answer | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Who built Arc? | Circle, the company behind USDC and EURC | What is Arc? |
| Arc chain ID | 5042 on mainnet, 5042002 on testnet | Add Arc to MetaMask |
| Gas token | USDC (18 decimals natively) | What is Arc? |
| Block explorer | explorer.arc.io (testnet: explorer.testnet.arc.io) | Add Arc to MetaMask |
| How to get USDC on Arc | Circle CCTP, exchanges and bridges | Bridge USDC to Arc |
| Free test USDC | faucet.circle.com, 20 USDC every 2 hours | Arc testnet faucet |
Trade on Arc with arky
arky is the trading terminal of Arc. One screen at app.arky.bet covers the trading terminal, memecoin launchpad and USDC prediction markets, plus spot trading with live prices. Scout, the AI agent every user gets, answers from live arky data and proposes trades; your wallet signs every one. USDC comes in and goes out through Circle CCTP with a step-by-step Deposit wizard. New to Arc? Read how to trade on Arc with USDC or the news that Arc mainnet is live.
FAQ
What is Arc chain by Circle?
Arc is a public, EVM-compatible layer-1 blockchain built by Circle. USDC is its native gas token, fees are dollar-denominated and blocks are final in under one second. Mainnet launched on 16 September 2026.
What is the Arc chain ID?
Arc mainnet uses chain ID 5042 (0x13B2) and Arc Testnet uses chain ID 5042002 (0x4CEF52), per the official Arc docs.
Does Arc have a token?
USDC is the gas token on Arc. Circle has published plans for an ARC token, but as of October 2026 it has not been publicly launched or distributed, so treat any ARC airdrop claim with caution.
Where can I trade on Arc?
On DEXs such as Uniswap, on memecoin launchpads, and on trading terminals. arky is the trading terminal of Arc: memecoins, USDC prediction markets and spot trading in one app at app.arky.bet.