Sony-Backed Startale Launches New Stablecoin to Power Soneium Web3 Growth

Startale Group, the blockchain partner behind Sony’s Soneium network, has introduced a new institutional-grade, dollar-pegged stablecoin aimed at supporting payments and settlements across its expanding Web3 ecosystem. The company stated that the new asset, known as Startale USD (USDSC), has been developed through M0’s universal stablecoin platform. The release also coincides with the rollout of STAR Points, a native on-chain rewards system integrated into the Startale App, which serves as the core access point for Soneium users.

Soneium functions as Sony’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, created in collaboration with Startale Group to connect Sony’s entertainment and consumer electronics businesses with blockchain applications. The initiative seeks to encourage mainstream adoption by designing Web3 experiences that resemble everyday digital platforms familiar to general consumers.

Company leadership indicated that USDSC is intended to create a seamless connection between everyday users and emerging on-chain financial services. Executives suggested that the stablecoin will support payments, rewards, and routine transactions throughout the Startale App, emphasizing that the goal is to make blockchain activity feel intuitive for non-crypto-native users.

Payment Infrastructure for Sony’s Expanding Digital Strategy

The stablecoin launch also prepares the foundation for an upcoming 24/7 digital asset exchange that Startale and SBI Holdings are planning to introduce. The platform is expected to support tokenized stocks and real-world assets, addressing what industry analysts project to be an almost $19 trillion tokenization market by 2033.

Sony’s broader blockchain strategy has been accelerating across multiple divisions. According to recent reports from Japanese media, Sony Bank has expressed plans to issue its own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin as early as fiscal year 2026. This version would be integrated into Sony’s gaming, anime, and digital content ecosystems. The bank recently applied for a U.S. banking license and has partnered with Bastion, a stablecoin infrastructure provider, for the initiative.

If approved, Sony Bank’s proposed stablecoin would enable U.S. customers to pay for video games, streaming content, subscriptions, and other digital services directly within Sony’s environment. This approach could reduce dependence on traditional card networks and potentially lower transaction fees. The United States currently represents more than 30% of Sony Group’s external sales, positioning the market as a key focus for stablecoin-powered payments.

While Sony Bank’s initiative targets consumer-level transactions within established Sony products, USDSC is tailored toward supporting the broader Web3 environment surrounding the Soneium Layer-2 chain.

Launch Aligns With Japan’s Evolving Digital Currency Rules

The introduction of USDSC arrives at a pivotal moment as Japan’s Financial Services Agency progresses with updated digital currency regulations. The regulator recently approved a joint pilot for a yen-based stablecoin developed by the country’s major financial institutions—MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho—under the new Payment Innovation framework. It also authorized the first fully regulated yen stablecoin, JPYC.

These developments mirror a wider increase in global stablecoin usage. Circulating supply has surpassed $316 billion, and recent EY research indicates that 13% of banks and corporations now use stablecoins. More than half of financial institutions worldwide expect to adopt them within the next year, following the introduction of the U.S. GENIUS Act.

USDSC relies on M0’s modular platform, which connects issuance, application logic, and liquidity within a programmable framework. M0 has recently partnered with MetaMask and Stripe’s Bridge for its MUSD stablecoin, demonstrating growing adoption of its infrastructure.

STAR Points to Drive User Engagement Across Soneium

The STAR Points system allows users to accumulate rewards through various activities such as minting and holding USDSC, providing liquidity on decentralized exchanges, including Uniswap, interacting with Mini Apps, and completing missions within the Startale App. These points may be redeemed for benefits such as ecosystem program access, gas fee credits, token launches, and priority allocations for new offerings.

Projects building on Soneium are also expected to use STAR Points as a distribution method for token rewards and ecosystem incentives, signaling a unified strategy to enhance engagement and strengthen participation throughout Sony’s Web3 ecosystem.