Astar-Soneium Alliance: A Case Study of the Process of Mainstreaming Web3

In the current market, how can blockchain be integrated into daily life?

Summary of key points

• Global entertainment giant Sony Group has entered the Web3 market through the Ethereum Layer 2 network “Soneium”. With its huge IP library and global user base, it is expected to lead the mainstreaming of Web3.

• As a core partner of Soneium, Astar Network relies on its years of experience in main network operation to help build its ecosystem. ASTR tokens will become Soneium’s core assets, and both parties are expected to produce strong synergy effects.

• Soneium has attracted more than 170 projects in two weeks after its launch. Yay! Cases such as entertainment platform Yoake demonstrate the potential of blockchain to seamlessly integrate into life and provide a model for large-scale applications of Web3.

1. Sony Group opens a new chapter

Source: Tiger Research

In January 2025, Sony Group launched the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain network Soneium through its subsidiary Sony Blockchain Solutions Laboratory (Sony BSL), officially entering Web3. This move attracted great attention from the industry because it continued Sony’s tradition of innovation in integrating technology and culture.

For large enterprises, self-built public chains are extremely rare, mainly due to the three major challenges of Web3:regulatory uncertainty、Unproven business modelandHigh infrastructure costs。Global giants in particular need to weigh compliance risks.

Sony chose to face difficulties because of its genetically engraved “innovator spirit”. From the pain of transforming from analog to digital, Sony has learned valuable experience and formed a strategic thinking of “proactively creating new growth engines.” Today, this thinking is being applied to the Web3 field.

Astar Network has become an ideal partner for Sony Group’s Web3 strategy. Since 2019, Astar’s accumulated technical capabilities and operational experience in the Polkadot ecosystem will accelerate the implementation of Sony’s Web3 vision. It is worth noting thatASTR tokens will become Soneium’s core assetThe two sides jointly promote the mainstreaming of Web3 through deep integration of technology and ecology.

This report will analyze how Soneium and Astar Network are reshaping the Web3 industry landscape, and discuss the synergy potential between Sony Group and Astar Network and their driving force for the popularity of Web3.

2. Soneium: Going mainstream

Source: Soneium

Soneium is the Ethereum Layer 2 main network built based on OP Stack, jointly built by Sony Group and Startale through the joint venture Sony BSL. Startale contributed the blockchain experience accumulated since operating Astar Network in 2019, while Sony injected global users and IP resources. This combination gives Soneium the potential to accelerate the mainstreaming of Web3.

2.1 Soneium: Sony Group’s core strategic pillar

Soneium is not only a blockchain project, but also an extension of Sony Group’s digital strategy and may become a link connecting its diverse businesses. Given Sony’s leadership in the entertainment industry, this integration may have a profound impact on the popularity of Web3. Understanding Sony Group’s strategic vision is key to assessing its potential.

2024 Sony Group Corporate Strategy Conference, source: Sony Group

In the “Strategic Plan 2025-2027” announced in 2024, Sony Group proposed the vision of “transcending boundaries and maximizing group synergy”, emphasizing cross-department collaboration to accelerate digital innovation and open up new sources of revenue.

Soneium’s blockchain network could become the cornerstone of the digital ecosystem that integrates Sony Group’s assets. The following analysis explores the possibilities for business integration from short-and long-term perspectives.

2.1.1 Short-term perspective: Strengthening existing Web3 business integration

Sony Group’s initial integration of Soneium will be based on its existing Web3 business: the NFT platform SNFT, launched in 2022, and the cryptocurrency exchange S.BLOX, renamed in 2023 through the acquisition of WhaleFin.

2025 Sony Group Web3 Business Conference, Source: Sony

S.BLOXIt could become a key entry point to the Soneium ecosystem, serving as a bridge between traditional assets and Web3 assets. By integrating exchange-wallet features similar to Backpack, S.BLOX provides a more secure asset management experience than existing Web3 wallets.

Source: Sony

Several subsidiaries of the Sony Group are expanding Web3 projects through SNFT-Soneium:

• Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan): Provide exclusive content access to users who purchase selected content on Amazon Prime Video;

• Sony Music Entertainment France: In memory of the music and Web3 community “Sunny B. The second anniversary of the establishment of 1991 “was released with a limited edition NFT;

• Sony Music Publishing (Japan): Launch an NFT event linked to the women’s group “Sandal Telefone” concert.

These projects aim to enhance fan interaction and digital content distribution through NFT and explore new ways to connect with audiences.

2.1.2 Long-term perspective: Deep integration of entertainment and financial industries

Although Sony Group has not announced Soneium’s specific plans beyond the mentioned projects, its long-term potential deserves attention.

The entertainment business accounts for 60% of Sony Group’s revenue, and it controls the entire chain of content production and distribution. Although this concentration brings risks, Web3 technology may open up new growth paths.

Early signs of innovation potential:Sony Interactive EntertainmentThe blockchain patents of NFT (especially in-game NFT) suggest that the PlayStation ecosystem may be integrated with Web3, such as NFT game assets and cryptocurrency payment capabilities.

Source: Sony Music

Sony Music and Sony PicturesMassive IPs can be activated through Web3 technology. Sony Music has tested NFT based on artist IP and explored Web3 applications for music copyright. With a combination of music, animation, games and other content, Sony may open up new sources of revenue through Web3.

Source: Sony Bank

Sony Financial GroupAlthough it has been split, it still maintains close cooperation with Sony Group.

Sony Bank is a pioneer in blockchain applications in the banking industry: partnered with SNFT to launch CONNECT, a user-friendly NFT management application; piloted the stablecoin project; and became the first bank in Japan to provide loan asset securitization tokens (STO).

Soneium may connect Sony’s business through new digital services. For example: PlayStation users use stablecoins developed by Sony Financial Group to make payments; fans buy and sell tokenized entertainment IP assets. These applications integrate Web3 technology into daily services and support Sony Group’s strategic goals.

2.2 Soneium Ecological Key Cases

2.2.1 Yay!：Connect to the Web2 community with SocialFi to inject rewards into daily life

Source: Yay!

Yay! It is a popular community platform in Japan, with more than 10 million users and more than 100,000 active communities since its launch in 2020. The platform demonstrates how Web3 can enhance social media value without changing the user experience: Members are rewarded for community contributions, and all blockchain interactions are automatically completed by the platform’s backend.

In Yay! On, users earn EMPL tokens through community contributions, which can be used to purchase items, give gifts within the platform, or be redeemed forEMPL tokens, which can be used to purchase items, give gifts within the platform, or be redeemed forYAY tokens will be withdrawn into cash. This mechanism allows users to enjoy the economic dividends of tokens without having to deal with complex crypto transactions.

Source: Yay!

Yay! Serving both Web2 and Web3 users:legacy userEarn points and spend in-app;encrypted userAssets can be linked to participate in DeFi activities such as pledge and liquidity provision.

Its appeal to Web3 users has already emerged-a pledge event linked to Ethereum and ASTR attracted US$20 million in participation. By creating value for two types of users, Yay! Successfully built the bridge between Web2 and Web3.

2.2.2 Yoake: Using blockchain to innovate fan culture

Source: Yoake Space

Yoake is an entertainment fan blockchain platform jointly developed by well-known Japanese producers Yasu Akimoto and Startale. Yasu Akimoto once created AKB48, the idol group that pioneered fan voting mechanism. This innovation enabled Yoake to win an entertainment award in the Soneium Spark incubation program.

Source: Dune, Tiger Research

Yoake uses blockchain to solve common pain points in fan communities: voting manipulation and opaque royalty distribution. The platform records all votes on the Soneium chain, forming a verifiable and transparent system. Fans can vote through social media accounts (without the need for encrypted wallets), and blockchain records are automatically completed by the platform. This system supports a variety of activities from idol group performance track selection to fashion competition voting.

Yoake embodies Soneium’s blockchain adoption logic:Solving problems takes precedence over technical demonstrations。As Satoshi Watanabe, director of Sony’s BSL, said, this is a “market-pull” strategy-identify needs first and then solve them with technology, rather than building solutions first and then finding scenarios (Technology Push). Yoake practices this principle by improving fairness and transparency in the fan community, and blockchain exists only as an underlying solution.

Yoake will launch YOAKE tokens on Soneium to reward active fans and measure community engagement. This model may become an example of the blockchain of traditional services in the entertainment industry.

3. Why choose OP Stack? Solid infrastructure and scalability

Soneium builds Ethereum Layer 2 based on Optimism’s OP Stack, rather than developing a new chain from scratch. This choice stems from a clear understanding of the Layer 1 development challenge: establishing cybersecurity and ecology requires a significant investment of resources and time. Leveraging Optimism’s mature infrastructure, Soneium can focus on developing user-oriented services and driving adoption.

As Ethereum Layer 2, Soneium inherits Ethereum’s core advantages:EVM compatibility: Support existing Ethereum tools (such as wallets, smart contracts);safety: Provide reliable protection for Sony IP;developer ecosystem: Access to Ethereum’s huge developer community.

Source: Optimism

Soneium plans to join Optimism’s “Superchain” network through OP Stack to interconnect with OP Stack chains such as Base, World Chain, and Unichain to expand the boundary of capabilities. The proposed Optimism Interop Protocol will enhance direct communication between chains (without going through the Ethereum main network).

By relying on Ethereum security and OP Stack extension technology, Soneium lays the foundation for rapid growth. This pragmatic attitude reflects its goals:Accelerate Web3 adoption with existing solutions instead of duplicating wheels。

4. One vision, dual-network collaboration: Soneium and Astar’s ensemble

Source: Astar Network

Astar Network, operated by Startale, is expected to collaborate deeply with Soneium. Although Astar is based on Boca and Soneium is based on Ethereum, differences between the two may create complementary advantages and maximize synergies.

Analyzing the advantages of Astar Network can help assess Soneium’s potential, especially the possibility of dual-network collaboration.

4.1 Ecological integration: jointly building a mainstream collective ecology

Source: Astar Network

Although Astar Network and Soneium operate independently, they can develop complementary capabilities:Provide liquidity and ecological resources for Soneium’s early growth;SoneiumAs OP Stack Layer 2, Astar has helped expand from the Boca ecosystem to the Ethereum ecosystem.

Astar’s dual support for WebAssembly (WASM) and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) gives it the ability to connect Boca and the Ethereum ecosystem. Working with Soneium could accelerate this cross-chain expansion.

Astar’s experience in ecological management can provide reference for Soneium: it effectively manages ecological liquidity through large-scale token destruction and dApp pledge V3, providing better incentives for users and dApp projects; although a basic inflation cap of 7% is set, it maintains token levels through continuous improvement; On-chain governance will be launched in December 2024, shifting to community-led decision-making, and ecological development will be actively discussed in the forum.

Astar and Soneium share a vision that transcends technological integration:Bringing Web3 to mainstream users。Astar’s “Evolution Phase 1.5” will officially connect dual networks to form a shared ecosystem. Through Chainlink’s CCIP and LayerZero technology, seamless communication between chains is achieved to build a more sustainable and scalable Web3 ecosystem.

4.2 ASTR: Strategic Pivot for Dual Network Symbiosis

4.2.1 Establishing the initial foundation with ASTR tokens

Soneium leverages Astar Network’s ASTR token launch ecosystem to solve common cold start problems for new networks.

ASTR has been listed on major exchanges such as Binance, OKX, and Upbit, providing ready-made liquidity to Soneium. Using mature tokens rather than issuing new ones allows Soneium to build ecosystems more efficiently than networks such as BASE that need to be launched separately, while reducing compliance complexity and attracting existing encryption users.

Source: Astar Network

ASTR is a core asset of the Soneium ecosystem and plans to add several key features: facilitating DeFi transactions, enabling payments in consumer applications, and supporting stablecoin issuance. This core role allows ASTR to capture Soneium’s ecosystem value, which may directly benefit Astar Network. As of February 1, ASTR accounted for 57% of Soneium’s total lock-in value (TVS), which shows its importance.

Source: Astar Network

Astar plans to expand ASTR’s influence into the Optimism superchain based on its core position in Soneium. ASTR has adopted the Superchain Asset Standard (ERC-7802, SuperchainERC20) to achieve seamless transfer across chains. This standardization may help ASTR become an important asset in the hyperchain ecosystem, which in turn serves as a bridge between Soneium and the broader ecosystem.

4.2.2 Astar and Soneium’s ecological boost strategies

Source: Astar Network

Astar Network is working with Soneium on incentive activities to develop its shared ecosystem. Through the Astar Surge event, ASTR holders can earn rewards by depositing tokens in designated smart contracts, providing initial liquidity for the launch of Soneium. The event has been promoted to Sake Finance and Yay! Key projects such as 1.68 million yuan of liquidity were injected.

Astar Network also plans to launch the Astar Contribution Points (ACS) program, issuing 100 million ASTR tokens to reward users for their activity in Soneium’s DeFi protocol, games and consumer apps. ACS’s goal is not just to distribute tokens, but also to encourage continued participation and development of the ecosystem.

Using Astar Network funding to support Soneium’s growth represents a strategic investment: it positions ASTR as a key cross-chain asset in the Superchain ecosystem while expanding its influence in the Ethereum ecosystem. As Sony Group develops mainstream Web3 applications, ASTR can gain real-world use cases, driving adoption of both networks.

4.2.3 Astar Network-based Rapid Termination Layer

As OP Rollup Layer 2, Soneium faces two time constraints: transactions take about 13 minutes to complete hard confirmation on OP Stack;L1 withdrawals require a 7-day waiting period due to OP Rollup features.

Source: AltLayer

Soneium will use AltLayer’s MACH protocol to resolve latency issues. MACH is an Active Authentication Service (AVS) that uses EigenLayer’s re-pledge mechanism to enhance security and cross-chain messaging. This upgrade will benefit games and financial services that require fast trading.

MACH implementation will create new uses for ASTR, making it the same network contribution asset as the re-pledged ETH. This provides token holders with more ways to participate and receive rewards. The practicality of extension can enhance network mobility and ecosystem participation.

4.3. Convergence of technology and vision: possibilities for a new unified network

The Astar Network-Soneium partnership will become stronger over time and build on its complementary technologies: Astar Network runs on Polkadot with dual EVM-WASM support, while Soneium runs as Ethereum Layer2. Together, they can expand into the Ethereum and Polkadot ecosystems.

The recent Klaytn-Finschia merger shows how two blockchain networks can join together, providing a potential model for Soneium and Astar Networks. While closer integration could connect the Ethereum and Polkadot ecosystems, such developments require careful long-term planning. These networks are making this possible through current cooperation that leverages their unique advantages.

5. Soneium’s challenge: Balancing IP protection and network censorship

Intellectual property infringement has been a long-term challenge for Web3, as recent disputes have demonstrated: NEIRO faces ownership disputes, and CHILLGUY has been criticized for its unauthorized use of intellectual property. These incidents have damaged both investor confidence and industry credibility.

Soneium introduces the “sandbox” concept to balance openness and protection while building a creator-centered fan community ecosystem. The large-scale adoption of Web3 technology requires not only the creator’s creative freedom, but also basic guarantees for intellectual property protection.

Soneium uses a phased approach to security: During the warning period, it reviews suspicious contracts and projects and adds them to the restricted list if necessary. The system does not block access completely, but rather allows transactions through Ethereum Layer 1. As Vitalik Buterin describes it, it’s like a “huge speed bump”-stopping malicious activity while maintaining network accessibility. Once the project resolves the issue, full access can be regained.

This approach strikes a balance between protecting creator rights and Web3 ‘s core values of openness and innovation. By implementing regulatory oversight rather than rigorous review, Soneium aims to combine intellectual property protection with blockchain decentralization-a potential model adopted by mainstream Web3.

6. concluding remarks

The launch of Soneium not only represents another blockchain platform, but also marks a major company’s commitment to expanding Web3 beyond the current reach of less than 7% of the global population. For Sony, the move is not just a technical experiment, but also aimed at addressing the fundamental challenges of mainstream adoption.

This timing is exactly the same as Sony’s past transformations. Although Sony revolutionized personal music with Walkman, it initially struggled to adapt to digital technology. Later, the company achieved success by combining entertainment with technology-a strategy that Web3 can now extend into a new era.

Soneium goes beyond typical blockchain initiatives, combining Sony Group’s hardware expertise with Startale’s blockchain experience. The partnership between the established company and Startale balances corporate resources with the flexibility of start-ups to create a more practical Web3 ecosystem.

Japan provides Soneium with strategic advantages: relative supportive policies for the cryptocurrency and Web3 industries, and an environment that encourages global corporate cooperation. These factors provide a stable foundation for Soneium’s development and international growth.

However, Sony’s Web3 business faces significant obstacles in terms of technology, regulation and user experience. The key to success lies in how effectively Sony transforms these challenges into innovation opportunities.

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