Sony, the Japanese electronics giant, is advancing its foray into blockchain technology with the development of a new blockchain, Soneium, in collaboration with Singapore-based web3 infrastructure provider Startale.
In an announcement made on August 23, Sony revealed that the Soneium testnet is set to launch shortly, offering a platform for developers to create and test applications in anticipation of a public release. This blockchain initiative is aimed at democratizing web3 technology by addressing issues of centralization prevalent in today’s internet, where control and economic power are concentrated among a few dominant entities.
Soneium is designed to counteract limited adoption and the scarcity of practical use cases in web3 technology. Startale CEO Sota Watanabe outlined a phased approach for the blockchain’s rollout: the first year will focus on onboarding core web3 users; the second year will see the integration of Sony’s major products, such as Sony Music, Sony Pictures, and Sony Bank; and the third year will open up the platform to other enterprises and decentralized applications.
The Soneium testnet will utilize optimistic rollup technology via the Optimism OP Stack, and incorporate Startale’s Astar zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine to facilitate liquidity, fungible, and non-fungible tokens.
Sony has expressed intentions to explore integration with its existing business lines to develop a suite of decentralized applications and services. The company aims to leverage this blockchain infrastructure to enhance content rights protection and introduce innovative profit-sharing models for creators.
Web3 represents the next phase of internet evolution, characterized by decentralization and user empowerment, yet it faces challenges such as scalability and interoperability. Sony is targeting “internet-level scalability” for Soneium, aiming to make it more accessible for everyday users. Additionally, earlier this year, Sony announced a partnership with Siemens to develop industrial applications for the metaverse, and recently acquired Japanese crypto exchange Amber, rebranding it as S.BLOX. This acquisition, which includes the WhaleFin exchange, further aligns with Startale CEO Watanabe’s strategic vision.
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