What is Arbitrum (ARB)?
Arbitrum (ARB) fact sheet with live price · reviewed November 4, 2026
Arbitrum is the largest Ethereum "layer 2" network: it runs Ethereum-style apps faster and much more cheaply, then posts the results back to Ethereum for security. It was built by Offchain Labs and launched in 2021. ARB is its governance token; fees on Arbitrum are paid in ETH, not ARB.
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Key facts
| Launched | August 31, 2021 (Arbitrum One) |
|---|---|
| Created by | Offchain Labs (Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder and Harry Kalodner) |
| Type | Optimistic rollup on Ethereum |
| Token | ARB (governance), launched with an airdrop in March 2023 |
| Supply | 10 billion ARB; the DAO may add up to 2% a year |
| Fees paid in | ETH |
Who runs it
ARB holders govern the network through the Arbitrum DAO, which controls a large treasury and approves upgrades. A 12-member elected Security Council can act quickly in emergencies. Offchain Labs builds the software and currently runs the sequencer that orders transactions.
What it's used for
Using DeFi apps, trading and games with Ethereum-level familiarity at a fraction of the cost. Many apps from Ethereum, such as Uniswap and Aave, run on Arbitrum too.
How it works
Transactions are executed on Arbitrum and bundled into batches posted to Ethereum. They're assumed valid unless someone proves otherwise during a challenge window (hence "optimistic"); since 2025 anyone can take part in those challenges. Withdrawing straight to Ethereum through the official bridge takes about a week for this reason, though third-party bridges are faster.
Where things stand (November 2026)
After the April 2026 Kelp DAO exploit, Arbitrum's Security Council used its emergency powers to move about 30,766 ETH linked to the attacker into a frozen wallet, releasing it only after an ARB governance vote. That protected victims but showed the council can intervene in user funds.
Risks to know
- Offchain Labs runs the sequencer, so it could delay or censor transactions in the short term (users can still force transactions through Ethereum).
- The Security Council can upgrade contracts and has frozen funds in an emergency.
- Bridges between chains are a frequent hacking target.
- ARB isn't needed for fees, so its value rests on governance and the treasury.
- Price is volatile, and scheduled unlocks add supply.
Buying and storing it
If you decide to buy, use a regulated exchange you reach directly, check fees with the true cost calculator, and store long-term holdings in a wallet you control, with the seed phrase written down offline. Read how to buy crypto safely. This page isn't a recommendation to buy.
Questions
Do I need ARB to use Arbitrum?
No. You pay gas in ETH on Arbitrum. ARB is for voting in the DAO.
Is Arbitrum safe?
It inherits much of Ethereum's security, but relies on Offchain Labs' sequencer and the Security Council, and apps on it can be hacked.
How long does withdrawing to Ethereum take?
About seven days through the official bridge; faster third-party bridges charge a fee and add their own risk.
Where to next
Sources
- Arbitrum documentation
- Arbitrum DAO governance docs
- The KelpDAO/LayerZero exploit and DeFi (Galaxy Research, April 2026)
Facts checked against the sources listed, as of November 4, 2026. Live price data by CoinGecko. Educational only; not financial advice. How we write and check pages.