Sony Group and Startale unveil Soneium blockchain to accelerate Web3 innovation

Sony Group and Startale unveiled development of the Soneium blockchain to accelerate Web3 Innovation.

A joint venture between Sony Group and Startale, the new blockchain built on Optimism’s Superchain unites leading Web3 projects and infrastructure pioneers, including Astar Network, Circle, Chainlink, Alchemy and The Graph plans to bridge the gap between decentralized innovation and everyday consumer applications in entertainment, gaming, and finance.

Soneiumis a Ethereum layer-2 developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture between Sony Group and Startale. This versatile Superchain is a general-purpose blockchain platform that aims to evoke emotion, empower creativity, and meet diverse needs to go mainstream.

Soneium will be simplifying blockchain experiences while empowering developers, creators, and communities. Built on accessibility, scalability, and efficiency, it aims to solve real-world problems across industries globally. Soneium will change the way we interact with the internet, opening up a world of innovative applications and unlimited potential for users worldwide.

Sony Block Solutions Labs (Sony BSL), a joint venture launched by Sony Group and Web3 innovator Startale, today unveiled the development of Soneium, a next-generation Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain that combines robust security and decentralization with scalability and user-friendliness needed for mainstream adoption.

Built on the principle that blockchain should be accessible, scalable, efficient, and solve genuine problems, Soneium aims to deliver innovative apps spanning entertainment, gaming, finance, and numerous other possibilities. As a Fortune Global 500 company and a global leader in technology and entertainment, Sony Group’s entry into the blockchain space with Soneium marks a significant milestone for Web3 adoption, the companies said.

“We believe that the development of a comprehensive Web3 solution based on the blockchain is very significant for the Sony Group, which has developed a diverse range of businesses under the purpose “filling the world with excitement through the power of creativity and technology. We will work to create diverse businesses and new use cases with the aim of reaching as many users as possible with the customer value that can be enjoyed only with Web3 technology and making their lives richer and more colorful,” said Jun Watanabe, chairman Sony Block Solutions Labs, in a statement.

The upcoming Soneium testnet is launching via a special partnership with Astar Network. This partnership represents a significant step in bridging different blockchain ecosystems and expanding Soneium’s capabilities.

As part of this unification, Astar zkEVM will be integrating its assets and underlying infrastructure with Soneium. This strategic initiative is designed to equip Soneium with an initial boost in terms of liquidity, as well as a diverse range of both fungible and non-fungible digital assets. This will not only create a burgeoning ecosystem from day one, but also demonstrates the interoperability and collaborative nature of the project.

“We believe that Sony Group’s launch of an Ethereum Layer 2 in collaboration with Startale is a pivotal moment for the entire industry. The industry has been making something web3 people want because of the lack of general user touchpoints and their feedback. Sony Group has strong distribution channels in multiple industries and existing users in our daily lives. Through Soneium, we will make something people want and go mainstream beyond Web3,” said Watanabe, founder of Astar network and director of Sony Block Solution Labs.

By planning to leverage Sony Group’s vast experience in entertainment, gaming, and technology, and Startale’s innovative blockchain expertise aiming to bridge the gap between decentralized innovation and everyday consumer applications and truly bring Web3 into the mainstream. The initiative will explore applications for existing Web3 services compatible with Soneium in the future, while also considering new services linked to businesses within the Sony Group.

This approach is designed to create compelling use cases that can stimulate interest among people who have never used Web3 services before. Key areas of exploration include the protection of rights for creator-generated content, new mechanisms for equitable profit-sharing to support both creators and fans, and opportunities for creators to seamlessly operate across digital and real-world environments.

Soneium leverages Superchain, an innovative network of chains that share Optimism’s OP Stack technology. This strategic move positions Soneium at the forefront of Ethereum scaling efforts as the Superchain aims to expand its capacity to the Internet-level scale.

To further support Soneium’s upcoming testnet launch, several established Web3 powerhouses, including Optimism, Circle, Alchemy, The Graph, and Chainlink, have joined as technology launch partners. These collaborations with key industry players aims to contribute to Soneium’s robust ecosystem, enhancing its capabilities across various blockchain functionalities.

To fully meet the needs of modern blockchain builders, Soneium testnet will offer a robust and comprehensive development environment and ecosystem, including a fully-featured testnet framework that closely mirrors the condition of mainnet that is now under planning. The blockchain’s advanced smart contract capabilities and scalable infrastructure will enable developers to design high-volume applications and grow their projects without any constraints.

Soneium testnet will offer built-in tools to help developers navigate the complex landscape of global regulations, making it easier to create compliant applications that can reach a worldwide audience. The project’s vision extends beyond creating advanced technology – it’s about pursuing the mission to bring blockchain to the masses. Soneium’s motto, “GM with Soneium” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it expresses a goal to mainstream adoption.

Sony SBL is gearing up for Soneium’s testnet launch, providing developers with their first hands-on experience with the blockchain. In the coming weeks, Soneium will release technical documentation detailing the platform’s intricacies and all the required tools and SDKs, allowing developers to start building on Soneium right away.

The partners plan to create more opportunities for existing users as early adopters in new projects and dApps. They also want to allow the community to be key participants in emerging initiatives within Soneium L2. And they want to position ASTR for potential benefits within the expanding Soneium ecosystem. Prepare for Astar Evolution Phase 2, bringing more clarity on future opportunities.

“We at the Astar Foundation are incredibly excited to partner with Soneium ecosystem as a key launch partner,” said Maarten Henskens, Head of Astar Foundation, in a statement. “This collaboration is a testament of our shared vision of making web3 accessible to everyone. We’re not just expanding our reach—we’re creating a powerhouse that will drive unprecedented growth for developers and users alike. Together, we’re setting the stage for blockchain adoption and utility.”

“Optimism has rapidly become the leading solution for scaling Ethereum. Like other global giants, Sony Group has chosen Optimism’s OP Stack and joins the Superchain’s growing network,” said Ryan Wyatt, chief growth officer at Optimism Unlimited, in a statement. “As part of the Superchain, Soneium will contribute network revenue back to the Optimism Collective, further supporting its ever-expanding ecosystem. This partnership marks a significant moment for the Superchain, and we look forward to working closely with Sony Block Solutions Labs to make blockchain more accessible to users worldwide.”

“Blockchain openness and accessibility are pivotal steps to mainstream adoption of Web3, and a core belief behind USDC,” said Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, in a statement. “With USDC powering transactions on Soneium by Sony Block Solutions Labs, we are redefining digital experiences for all as part of our commitment to delivering secure and simplified Web3 experiences.”

“The launch of Soneium marks a key step in bringing web3 to everyday users, uniquely blending entertainment, gaming, and finance in the web3 space,” said Nikil Viswanathan, CEO of Alchemy, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to power Soneium with our web3 infrastructure and developer tools, enabling creators worldwide to build and scale onchain apps with ease. Soneium is a big step towards bringing the benefits of web3 to billions of people.”

“By taking the plunge headfirst into web3 with support from The Graph, Soneium by Sony BSL is exhibiting the fearless attitude towards innovation that made the brand so beloved for decades,” said Tegan Kline, CEO of Edge & Node, the initial team behind The Graph, in a statement. “Alongside Startale, we’re supporting the launch of Soneium by equipping developers worldwide to regain autonomy over their creations and their data. We believe that no one entity should hoard power on the internet – building on blockchain technology puts power back in the hands of creators. I hope to see more household names follow in Sony Group’s footsteps.”

“The launch of Soneium is a strong signal of the ongoing advancements taking place in the blockchain industry,” said Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs, in a statement. “Sony Group and Startale’s vision has the potential to extensively impact the current landscape. We are excited to see Soneium adopting Chainlink CCIP as its canonical cross-chain infrastructure, Chainlink Data Feeds which will be accessible to developers through Chainlink Scale, along with Functions and VRF to power a robust, developer-friendly ecosystem.”

Startale is at the forefront of web3 technology, specializing in the development of Astar, Soneium and Startale Cloud. At Startale, the mission is “Web3 for Billions,” making the world where web3 technologies are utilized in people’s lives. We believe that the journey of blockchain and web3 is fundamentally about unlocking the boundless potential of people, one block at a time.