The list of validators for Arc looks like a seating chart for global financial institutions. BlackRock, DTCC, ICE, Mastercard, Visa, and Standard Chartered are all on it. Circle also mentioned that there are already over 100 builders on the private mainnet. The cost is written in the footnotes of the announcement. Arc operates with a permissioned validator set, and Gas fees are only payable in USDC. This chain is betting on institutional credibility first, then talking about open finance. After the mainnet launch on September 16, there’s only one real test: Can it produce a $1B meme? (Don’t forget to follow @minarafun @minara, DDDD)