According to ChainCatcher, Sony's blockchain division, Sony Block Solutions Labs, is launching a public testnet and developer incubation program for its Soneium network.

Soneium is an Ethereum L2 based on Op Stack that aims to provide a cost-effective development environment for building consumer applications. Circle, Optimism, Alchemy, The Graph, Chainlink, and Astar Network will all be early adopters of the network. The project is a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Startale Labs, launched in 2023, and recently transferred to Sony Network Communications Labs. The two companies also plan to integrate the ASTR token as a key asset on the EVM-compatible Minato testnet.