Circle Secures $222M for ARC Token Sale, Valuing Arc Blockchain at $3B
Circle has raised $222 million for its ARC token tied to the new Arc blockchain, valuing the project at $3 billion. The presale attracted significant investment from firms including BlackRock, Apollo, and a16z crypto, according to CoinDesk.
On May 11, 2026, Circle announced a successful raise of $222 million for its ARC token, which operates on the newly developed Arc blockchain. This funding round, which values the project at $3 billion, features prominent investors such as BlackRock, Apollo Funds, a16z crypto, ARK Invest, Bullish, and others.
The ARC token is designed to act as a “native coordination asset,” focusing on governance, validator security, and the operational framework of the Arc blockchain. This initiative marks Circle's strategic move beyond its primary role as a USDC stablecoin issuer, aiming to establish blockchain infrastructure that facilitates institutional finance. Circle published the whitepaper for Arc during the same announcement, emphasizing its focus on tokenized assets, cross-border settlements, and on-chain financial activities.
Arc aims to optimize stablecoin-based capital markets, drawing parallels to the functions of ether on Ethereum and SOL on Solana, rather than serving merely as a dollar-pegged payment token like USDC. The project began testing in October 2025 and is intended to bolster digital asset ecosystems.
As Circle's ambitious expansion continues, stakeholders in the sector are likely to watch developments around the Arc blockchain closely. Observers will assess how its design and operational efficacy can contribute to the evolving landscape of blockchain applications in finance.
Summary based on original reporting by Oliver Knight at CoinDesk, originally published May 11, 2026. SolanaWire does not republish source content.
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