Circle launched Arc, a Layer-1 blockchain for financial markets and payments that processed $410.8M in DEX volume on its first day. Meanwhile, the stablecoin market has stalled near $300B since October, falling short of predictions that it would drive significant Treasury demand and reach $2 trillion by 2028. The UK's FCA finalized regulatory rules for stablecoins and crypto services, advancing regulatory clarity in the sector.
The UK FCA finalized its crypto regulation framework covering stablecoins and exchanges, with applications opening September 30, 2026. Multiple blockchain projects launched stablecoin infrastructure: Circle's Arc mainnet went live with USDC as gas, Zebec enabled real-time payroll streaming, and Iris partnered with telecom operators like VIVA to issue stablecoins and provide wallet services.