Frequently asked questions.

A populated, capitalized economic zone with the legal and regulatory stack for the next economy. You provide autonomy and ambition; we bring the regulatory design, the community, the capital, the accelerator, and the coordination layer. The zone functions from day one.

AI, autonomous agents, digital assets, and the governance models they require. Most jurisdictions are retrofitting twentieth-century law onto twenty-first-century technology. Our zones are designed, from first principles, for what comes next.

As broad as possible — ideally immigration, business formation, taxation, and commercial law. More autonomy means better outcomes for your country. We operate under your authority; your sovereignty is never in question.

This is a long-term partnership, measured in decades, not years. Initial relationship-building and charter design take as long as they need. First activation (pop-up) typically happens once there is shared conviction and a clear framework.

Through introductions. We don't respond to cold inbound from governments — the decisions we make together are too consequential for that. If someone we trust introduces us, we'll find time.

Neither. We're competing with the inertia of the existing global economy. Our interests are aligned with yours: we make money when your zone thrives.

You do. Ârc operates under your government's authority. We bring the operators, capital, and community — but governance sits with you, within the charter we design together.

The commercial structure depends on the partnership. Typically a combination of long-term land rights, revenue share, and aligned investment from both sides. We put real money in.

Our permanent home is Network School, in the Singapore-Johor Special Economic Zone. You can visit by booking a month or more at NS. Book through Ârc for 25% off. Visit Network School →

Subscribe to James of Ârc on Substack. Or join the online community from $11/month. Join →

By spending real time with us in person. The relationships and context required to help build a new society only happen on the ground. Come to NS. We'll talk from there. Learn about Found →

A role in building something that doesn't yet exist, and equity in the city you help build. Details are a conversation, not a checkout. They happen after we've met.

Minimum one month. Most founders stay longer — some have made it their home.

Yes. NS has accommodation options for couples and families. Reach out before booking.

Yes. Malaysia has straightforward visa options for most nationalities, and we help members navigate them.

A city that operates under a unique legal and governance framework within a host country, designed to attract investment and drive economic growth. Shenzhen is the most famous example. Ârc partners with governments to build them.

We don't start with land. We start with community, capital, coordination, and a regulatory design built for the next economy — then partner with governments who have the land and autonomy to match. The community is the product. The zone is where the community lives.

A team of operators, investors, and community leaders who have been building in the network-state space for years. Led by James of Ârc.

Partly. Digital assets are one of the regulatory domains we design for, and some of our community and portfolio is crypto-native. But Ârc is about building places, not tokens — and AI, AI agents, and modern governance are equally central.

Through our investment vehicles (Fulgur, Curious, Ârc Angel), through the Network School booking flow, through community membership, and through long-term commercial structures with our government partners.