Sony-Backed Soneium Taps New Plans as Startale Unveils USDSC Stablecoin for Its L2 Economy
Startale Group has introduced a new institutional-grade stablecoin, Startale USD (USDSC), positioning it as the core settlement currency for Sony’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, Soneium. The launch, announced Wednesday, marks a major expansion of Sony’s Web3 ambitions as the company deepens its blockchain infrastructure after onboarding more than 14 million testers earlier this year.
USDSC arrives with STAR Points, a rewards system designed to encourage activity across the Startale App. Users can earn points for minting and holding USDSC, providing liquidity on Uniswap, and engaging with Soneium-based applications. Select projects on the network will also distribute tokens directly through Startale’s interface.
“USDSC is the digital dollar for Soneium that powers payments, transfers, creator payouts, and yield opportunities,” said Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group and founder of Astar Network. As the Soneium ecosystem grows, he emphasized the need for a “stable and trusted” currency underpinning all activity.
The new stablecoin is built using infrastructure from M0, the universal stablecoin platform that recently teamed up with MetaMask and Stripe’s Bridge to advance its MUSD product. M0 supplies issuance rails, liquidity logic, and programmable settlement architecture for USDSC.
Watanabe noted that USDSC’s long-term role extends beyond basic payments:
“We see USDSC becoming a full payment railway and a yield layer tailored for creators on Soneium.”
The Startale App waitlist is now open, offering early access to the stablecoin’s features and its rewards system.
Japan Races Ahead in Stablecoin Regulation
Japan continues to accelerate its regulated stablecoin sector. Circle secured the country’s first-ever approval for a dollar-pegged stablecoin in March with USDC. Local megabanks MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho are preparing a yen-stablecoin pilot under the FSA’s new Payment Innovation framework, set to begin next March.
Regulators have additionally approved JPYC as Japan’s first fully regulated yen-backed stablecoin. Meanwhile, Ripple and SBI Holdings are preparing to debut RLUSD early next year via SBI VC Trade.
Sony Prepares Its Own Dollar Stablecoin
Sony is reportedly planning to issue a dollar-denominated stablecoin in 2026, aimed at powering game and anime purchases across its entertainment ecosystem. Sony Bank has teamed with stablecoin firm Bastion to handle issuance, reserve management, and custody for Sony’s digital-dollar plans.
Sony Bank has also filed for a U.S. national banking charter, which would allow its Connectia Trust subsidiary to operate crypto services directly in the United States.
The global stablecoin market now surpasses $310 billion, setting the stage for Sony and Startale to compete in an increasingly crowded digital-currency landscape.