Sony’s Soneium Launches USDSC Stablecoin with M0 Infrastructure

Startale USD (USDSC) went live on Wednesday as the default settlement currency for Soneium, the Ethereum layer-2 network Sony officially launched in January following a test period that attracted over 14 million users and processed 50 million transactions. The stablecoin is a collaboration between Sony and its blockchain partner, Startale Group. Sota Watanabe, founder of Astar Network and CEO of Startale Group, emphasized its role, stating, “USDSC is the digital dollar for Soneium that powers everything in the Startale App.” He further positioned it as a necessary tool for the platform’s growth, enabling users and creators to “move money around, make payments, and earn consistent yields.”

The underlying infrastructure for USDSC is provided by the universal stablecoin platform M0, which recently partnered with MetaMask and Stripe’s Bridge for its MUSD stablecoin. M0’s system connects issuance, application logic, and liquidity into a single programmable framework. To drive adoption, the launch is coupled with a rewards initiative called STAR Points. Users can earn these points by minting and holding USDSC, providing liquidity on decentralized exchange Uniswap, and interacting with applications on the Soneium network. The Startale App, which is central to this ecosystem, has opened a waitlist for early access to these features.

The launch of USDSC is not an isolated event but part of a broader, rapidly evolving stablecoin environment in Japan, driven by proactive regulatory steps. Earlier this month, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) approved a yen-stablecoin pilot set to roll out next March involving the country’s three megabanks: MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho. This follows the regulator’s landmark approval in March for Circle’s USDC, marking Japan’s first officially sanctioned dollar-pegged stablecoin.

Other significant players are advancing their own initiatives. The FSA has also approved JPYC, Japan’s first fully regulated yen-backed stablecoin. Furthermore, Ripple and SBI Holdings are preparing to launch the RLUSD stablecoin early next year through SBI VC Trade. This regulatory clarity under Japan’s new Payment Innovation framework is creating a fertile ground for both corporate and financial institution-led digital currency projects, with the global stablecoin market currently valued at over $310 billion according to CoinGecko data.

Sony’s foray into stablecoins extends beyond the Soneium network. Reports indicate that Sony Group is planning to issue its own dollar-denominated stablecoin next year, intended for purchasing games and anime within its broader digital ecosystem. To support this ambition, Sony Bank, the group’s banking division, has partnered with stablecoin firm Bastion. According to a press release, Bastion will provide stablecoin services for Sony affiliates, handling “stablecoin issuance, reserve management, and custody at scale for Sony Bank.”

In a strategic move to expand its financial capabilities, Sony Bank filed to acquire a U.S. national banking charter in October. This charter would permit its subsidiary, Connectia Trust, to engage in cryptocurrency-related activities, providing a regulated pathway for Sony’s expanding suite of digital asset services. These coordinated efforts—spanning a layer-2 network, a dedicated stablecoin, banking partnerships, and regulatory filings—paint a picture of a conglomerate methodically building an integrated blockchain-powered financial and content ecosystem.