# Circle launches Arc blockchain for AI agent commerce

> The new blockchain targets financial markets and AI-driven transactions, launching with over 100 partners.
- Title: Circle launches Arc blockchain for AI agent commerce · Pymnts
- Summary: The new blockchain targets financial markets and AI-driven transactions, launching with over 100 partners. Circle's Arc blockchain is purpose-built for AI…
- Keywords: circle, arc blockchain, usdc, stablecoins, agentic commerce, artificial intelligence, ai agents, jeremy allaire, b2b payments, blockchain, financial markets, real-time payments
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/blockchain/2026/circle-debuts-agentic-commerce-focused-blockchain-arc
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:19:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: circle, arc blockchain, usdc, stablecoins, agentic commerce, artificial intelligence, ai agents, jeremy allaire, b2b payments, blockchain, financial markets, real-time payments
## Circle debuts Arc blockchain
Arc is designed for financial markets, real-time money movement and agentic economic activity. It launches with integration into Circle's platform, including USDC.
## Most significant launch since USDC
Circle's CEO calls Arc the company's biggest launch in 13 years. It embodies the premise that money should work the way the internet works.

> Arc is the single most significant launch in Circle's history since USDC itself
## First blockchain for AI agents
Arc is built with AI agents as economic actors in mind. Agents already execute trades, manage payments, route liquidity and execute contracts using Circle's products.
## USDC dominates agent transactions
USDC makes up 98.8% of agent-driven transaction volume. Since Circle introduced its Agent Stack in May, most agent-to-agent payments settle in USDC.
## 132 million Americans shop with AI
Nearly half of U.S. adults have made a retail purchase with AI, and 22% now start online retail research using an AI tool.
## Consumers cautious about AI buying
Only 24% would let an agent both shop and buy. The market is building toward controlled delegation where agents do the work but consumers set the rules.

> the agent does the work, the consumer sets the rules, a familiar payment provider protects the credential
## Key takeaway

Circle's Arc blockchain is purpose-built for AI agents to conduct economic transactions, with USDC already dominating 98.8% of agent-driven transaction volume.