Sony is deepening its engagement with the decentralized Web3 economy, leveraging its partner Startale Group to launch an institutional-grade stablecoin on its Soneium blockchain. This move underscores a broader strategic vision for digital assets and creator platforms.
The newly introduced stablecoin, Startale USD (USDSC), is denominated in U.S. dollars. It is designed to be the primary settlement token for transactions within the Soneium ecosystem.
Soneium is Sony’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, which officially launched earlier this year. Its purpose is to simplify blockchain interactions for creators and their audiences.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, described USDSC as the “digital dollar for Soneium.” He emphasized its importance for facilitating money movement, payments, and ensuring consistent returns as the platform expands with more users and creators.
This development comes as Sony Group’s banking division is reportedly planning to issue its own USD-denominated stablecoin next year. That stablecoin could be used for purchasing games and anime within its dedicated platform.
The launch also reflects growing momentum for stablecoins in Japan, where regulatory bodies are actively promoting innovation frameworks. The country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has reportedly approved a pilot program for Japanese yen-linked stablecoins involving major banks like MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho.
The underlying infrastructure for USDSC’s issuance, application logic, and liquidity is managed by the M0 stablecoin platform.
Startale Group has also rolled out a rewards program called STAR Points. This initiative aims to incentivize transactions and participation via the Startale application. Users can earn points by minting and holding USDSC, providing liquidity on platforms such as Uniswap, and interacting with network applications.
Globally, the stablecoin market is valued at more than $310 billion. This highlights the strategic significance of Sony’s initiatives in the Web3 space and its vision for a creator-centric digital economy.