Global conglomerate Sony Group’s joint blockchain venture with Startale announced the development of Soneium, its first Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain that focuses on scalability and user-friendliness with an aim for mainstream adoption.
Soneium, upon launch, plans to deliver Web3 apps across a multitude of fields including entertainment, gaming and finance, leveraging Sony’s global Web2 presence, Sony Block Solutions Labs said in a statement.
“Sony Group has strong distribution channels in multiple industries and existing users in our daily lives,” Sota Watanabe, Founder of Astar Network and Director of Sony Block Solution Labs said in the press release. “Through Soneium, we will make something people want and go mainstream beyond Web3.”
The joint venture is currently preparing the blockchain’s testnet launch, while the date of launch is yet to be announced. Soneium will release technical details on the platform's tools and requirements for developers in the coming weeks, Sony Block Solutions Labs said.
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For the testnet launch, Astar Network will have its zkEVM integrate its assets and underlying infrastructure with Soneium to boost the new chain’s initial liquidity.
Sony Block Solutions Labs said future use cases of Soneium include the protection of rights for creator-generated content and new mechanisms for fair profit-sharing between creators and fans.
Meanwhile, it was reported last month that Sony is preparing to launch a local cryptocurrency trading platform in Japan.
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