The world of blockchain is moving fast, and Arc is right at the forefront. If you're not familiar, Arc is a new Layer-1 blockchain developed by Circle, the company behind popular stablecoins like USDC. It's designed to be the "Economic OS for the internet," meaning it's built to make global financial services—like payments, lending, and capital markets—faster, cheaper, and more accessible using blockchain tech. Recently, a detailed weekly recap thread on X (formerly Twitter) by @Desmond_ez highlighted some exciting progress from October 26 to November 2, 2025. Let's break it down in simple terms, so you can see why this could be a game-changer for crypto enthusiasts and builders alike.

Arc's Public Testnet Goes Live

First off, Arc's public testnet is now officially live and open to everyone. A testnet is like a sandbox version of the blockchain where developers can experiment without risking real money. Backed by Circle, Arc focuses on instant stablecoin payments with super-fast finality—think transactions that settle in under a second. This opens the door for real-world uses like cross-border payments and tokenized assets, where big players from finance, tech, and banking are already jumping in to build apps. If you're a developer, you can start tinkering right away on the Arc network.

Eleven Projects Building on Arc

The recap spotlighted 11 key "Architects" (that's what they call early builders) who are already developing on the testnet. These projects cover everything from lending and capital markets to foreign exchange (FX) and payments. Standouts include:

• zkp2p: A protocol for seamless on/off-ramping between fiat money and stablecoins without needing trust or permissions.
• Sequence: A platform that simplifies crypto transactions to one-click ease.
• Axelar: Infrastructure for moving apps and assets across over 80 blockchains.
• And more like Superface, Blockradar, Copperx, Crossmint, Hurupay, Para, CFi, and Hinkal.

This shows Arc is gaining traction fast, positioning itself as a hub for innovative financial tools.

Thirdweb Adds Support for Arc

Web3 development platform thirdweb announced full support for Arc's public testnet. This means devs can easily deploy tokens, NFTs, and even use x402 (a facilitator for AI-native payments and agents). It's all about making building on Arc quicker and more intuitive, especially for creating smart, decentralized apps.

AI-Native Hackathon with Lablab.ai

Get ready for some hands-on action: Arc teamed up with lablab.ai for a hackathon challenging builders to create AI-powered payment agents using Arc and USDC. Running from October 27 to November 9, 2025, participants have a shot at $10,000 in USDC prizes, plus mentorship from industry pros. It's a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in blending AI with blockchain finance.

Circle CEO Talks Arc on CNBC

In a high-profile interview on CNBC's Money Movers, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire chatted with Sara Eisen about the Arc public testnet launch. He emphasized how companies in finance, AI, and tech are exploring new use cases on the network. You can catch the full discussion here to hear straight from the source.

DeFi Hackathon in London with Encode Club

Circle is hosting a three-day hackathon in London at the Encode Club Hub from November 14-16, 2025. Up to 300 builders will focus on DeFi (decentralized finance) applications on Arc, competing for a $20,000 prize pool. Themes include onchain credit, stablecoin FX, and tokenized capital markets. If you're in the area or want to join virtually, check out Encode Club for details.

Wintermute Joins as Liquidity Provider

Digital asset firm Wintermute is stepping in to support Arc's testnet by providing liquidity and market access. Liquidity basically means ensuring there's enough buying and selling activity to keep prices stable and trades smooth. This partnership helps Arc grow into a robust platform for global onchain finance.

Fluid Becomes a Key Participant

DeFi protocol Fluid (built by Instadapp) announced its participation in the Arc public testnet. They're excited to help shape the ecosystem, bringing their expertise in evolving financial systems to Arc's vision of an internet-powered economy.

Keyrock Powers Liquidity and Trading

Finally, global crypto investment firm Keyrock is backing Arc's launch by providing liquidity and efficient trading tools. This will drive smarter capital use across the ecosystem, making Arc even more appealing for serious financial applications.

Wrapping it up, this week's recap shows Arc is off to a strong start, with rapid adoption and real momentum in the blockchain space. If you're into meme tokens or broader crypto trends, keep an eye on Arc—it could influence how stablecoins and DeFi evolve, potentially creating new opportunities for fun, viral projects down the line. For the full thread, head over to @Desmond_ez's post on X. What's your take on Arc's progress? Let us know in the comments!