APA://ARC

Network Architecture

ARCPAY AGENT is structured as four layers. Each one has a single responsibility, so a failure in agent logic can never become an unbounded financial event.

ARC/ USDCDEMO MODE

ARC.NETWORK ↗

SETTLEMENT LAYER

ARC

TARGET NETWORK

SETTLEMENT ASSET

USDC

STABLE VALUE

PAYMENT CLASS

SUB-CENT

NANOPAYMENTS

AUTHORIZATION

POLICY-BOUND

NO HUMAN IN LOOP

01 / STACK

Layered responsibility

L4AGENT RUNTIMEAutonomous processes with a mandate, a wallet and an audit trail.

L3POLICY ENGINECeilings, allow-lists and session limits evaluated before any authorization.

L2PAYMENT ROUTERHandles 402 challenges, authorization, verification and receipts.

L1ARC SETTLEMENTStable-value USDC settlement designed for high-frequency machine traffic.

APA://ARC/FLOW

DIAGRAM

  [ AGENT ]
      │  task requires external capability
      ▼
  [ DISCOVERY ] ── queries priced service registry
      │
      ▼
  [ SERVICE ] ── HTTP 402 PAYMENT REQUIRED (price)
      │
      ▼
  [ POLICY ] ── ceiling? allow-list? session?
      │ pass
      ▼
  [ ROUTER ] ── authorize → verify
      │
      ▼
  [ ARC / USDC ] ── settle (simulated here)
      │
      ▼
  [ RESOURCE ] ── payload released, task complete

DESIGN CONSTRAINTS

→ An agent can never spend beyond its own isolated balance.
→ Policy is evaluated before authorization, never after.
→ Every settlement produces a receipt an operator can audit.
→ Pricing stays in a stable unit so agents can compare offers.