Fireblocks to Integrate with Circle's Arc Blockchain Ahead of Launch

Circle's blockchain, Arc, will launch with Fireblocks integration for institutional support, giving banks and asset managers immediate access to custody and compliance tools. Arc is scheduled for a public testnet this fall before a full launch by the end of 2025. Fireblocks, a digital asset custody and tokenization platform, is preparing integrations so clients can transact on Arc from day one. The rollout comes as Circle deepens its footprint in the digital asset sector following regulatory clarity on U.S. stablecoins.

Circle's new layer-1 blockchain, Arc, is set to debut with integration from Fireblocks, a leading digital asset custody and tokenization platform. This integration will provide immediate access to custody and compliance tools for banks and asset managers, marking a significant milestone in Circle's expansion into the digital asset sector.

Arc, which is not yet live, is scheduled for a public testnet this fall, followed by a full launch by the end of 2025. Fireblocks is preparing its platform to support clients transacting on Arc from day one, leveraging its extensive network of over 2,400 banks, asset managers, and fintechs. This early integration with Fireblocks is notable, as it contrasts with the delayed integration of other blockchains like Solana, which launched in 2020 but was added to Fireblocks only in late 2021.

The integration comes as Circle continues to expand its footprint in the stablecoin market. On June 5, Circle raised $1.05 billion in its first IPO, with shares climbing as high as $298.99 before closing around $145. The company's Q2 revenue reached $658 million, a 53% increase year-over-year, driven in part by a 90% growth in USDC circulation to $61.3 billion by June 30. Circle also announced the launch of the Circle Payments Network and Arc, a layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin finance.

The stablecoin market has seen significant growth, with the market cap now standing at roughly $277.16 billion, up from $253.87 billion on July 1. While Circle's USDC accounts for about a quarter of the fiat-backed stablecoin market, Tether continues to dominate globally with around 60% market share. Tether reported $4.9 billion in profit in Q2 2025, driven by Treasury yields and a $127 billion short-term US debt position.

The launch of Arc is expected to challenge existing blockchain platforms, particularly Ripple's XRP Ledger (XRPL), which focuses on cross-border payments and transaction settlement. However, Arc's stablecoin-centric design and compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) could attract developers from Ethereum's ecosystem. The Arc blockchain is designed to facilitate fast, secure, and privacy-optional transactions with settlement times under one second.

As of August 10, 2025, USDC has a circulation of nearly $65 billion, reflecting strong institutional and market confidence in the stablecoin. The stablecoin market as a whole is approaching $260–280 billion in total value, positioning Arc as a potential key player in on-chain finance. The Arc blockchain is currently in development, with a private testnet expected in the coming weeks, followed by a public testnet in the fall of 2025 and a mainnet beta in 2026.

While the launch of Arc could challenge existing players in the stablecoin space, it is unlikely to render any single platform obsolete. Instead, the market is expected to segment, with different blockchains catering to specific use cases and customer needs. Investors are advised to monitor Arc’s performance during the public testnet phase and its ability to attract payments partners, as these factors will determine its long-term viability.

References:
[1] https://cointelegraph.com/news/circle-arc-blockchain-fireblocks
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:9a8d9a14e094b:0-circle-s-arc-blockchain-to-debut-with-institutional-access-via-fireblocks/
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-circle-acquires-malachite-build-arc-blockchain-usdc-finance-2508/