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ARK distinguishes itself through remarkable features: transaction speeds of up to 3,000 transactions per second, near-instant finality, and a novel fee system where USDC is used for paying network fees, simplifying user experience. It employs a permissioned consensus mechanism inspired by Cosmos’s Malikite, initially controlled by only 20 validators chosen by Circle, indicating a centralized control model. The network aims to support rapid cross-currency swaps, confidential transactions, and seamless integration of Circle’s suite of financial products, including their European Euro stablecoin EURC. The ARK ecosystem is set to roll out in stages, with a public testnet later this year and a mainnet beta expected by 2026.