Circle has launched Arc, a Layer-1 blockchain designed to facilitate AI-driven economic activities. The blockchain aims to enable autonomous software to transact seamlessly, offering sub-second settlements and privacy controls. Circle raised $222 million in a private presale of its native ARC token, achieving a $3 billion valuation, with backing from major investors like BlackRock and a16z crypto. Arc is positioned as the "Economic OS for the internet," supporting AI agents in managing USDC, discovering services, and automating transactions. The blockchain's features include programmable dollars and nanopayments, which are too small for traditional credit card processing. Circle's existing USDC infrastructure underpins Arc, enhancing its capabilities for institutional finance and automated interactions. The launch follows a public testnet introduced in October 2025, with the full launch on May 11, 2026. The involvement of significant financial entities in the presale underscores the potential of AI-native financial infrastructure, although its practical adoption remains to be seen.