Circle Unveils Arc Blockchain for USDC Stablecoin Finance
Circle Internet Group has announced Arc, an open Layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin finance. The new Arc blockchain uses USDC as its native gas token, features an integrated stablecoin FX engine, offers sub-second settlement finality and opt-in privacy controls. A public testnet is scheduled to launch this fall.
Sonic Labs released Testnet 2.1 with compatibility for Ethereum’s upcoming Pectra upgrade, allowing developers to trial new protocol standards ahead of the mainnet release.
The US SEC officially dropped its lawsuit against Ripple, which accused the firm of raising $1.3 billion through unregistered XRP sales. Regulators now signal a shift toward drafting clear crypto rules.
In Japan, Metaplanet Inc. purchased an additional 518 BTC at ¥17.54 million per coin, raising its total holdings to 18,113 BTC and reporting a quarter-to-date BTC Yield of 26.6%.
Aave’s lending protocol controls roughly 80% of Ethereum’s outstanding debt, driving its total value locked to $47 billion. This underscores growing DeFi adoption and the appeal of permissionless lending.
Bullish
The launch of Arc blockchain strengthens stablecoin infrastructure and reinforces USDC’s role in global finance. Regulatory clarity from the SEC dropping the Ripple lawsuit reduces legal overhang, likely boosting confidence in XRP and broader crypto markets. Corporate Bitcoin accumulation by Metaplanet signals sustained institutional demand. Aave’s 80% share of Ethereum’s lending debt and a $47 billion TVL highlight robust DeFi growth. Historically, clear regulatory outcomes and large corporate crypto buys have driven short-term rallies and supported long-term adoption. Combined, these developments suggest a bullish market outlook across stablecoins, DeFi and institutional bitcoin investment.