US Top News and Analysis | Circle raises $222 million from BlackRock, Apollo and others in Arc token presale valued at $3 billion
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Circle Internet Group announced it has raised $222 million in a presale for Arc, the native token of its new public blockchain designed for institutional finance, giving Arc a fully‑diluted valuation of about $3 billion. Andreessen Horowitz led the round with a $75 million commitment, while BlackRock, Apollo Funds, Intercontinental Exchange, SBI Group, Janus Henderson, Standard Chartered Ventures, General Catalyst, Marshall Wace, ARK Invest, IDG Capital, Haun Ventures and Bullish also participated. CEO Jeremy Allaire said Circle is expanding beyond its USDC stablecoin into an “operating system” that combines a multi‑stakeholder distributed network, token‑based governance and app development, aiming to build infrastructure for the future AI‑driven economic system and to give the company more control over the underlying network that powers USDC. The token distribution earmarks 25 % for Circle, 60 % for builders and users of the Arc network, and 15 % for a long‑term reserve, while the company also launched tools for developers to create AI agents that can manage transactions and payments using USDC. The move reflects a broader shift in crypto firms toward more diversified, institution‑focused revenue models and positions Circle to defend its market share amid rising regulatory support for stablecoins and potential competition from banks and fintechs.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/11/circle-closes-222-million-from-blackrock-apollo-for-arc-blockchain.html
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