Sony launches its own public blockchain network

Sony's blockchain arm is launching a public test net and a new developer program for Soneium.

Sony's Block Solutions Labs, in a press release announced that it has launched a test net for its new blockchain network named Soneium. Soneium is based on the Optimism Stack (Op Stack), a Layer-2 solution for Ethereum.

At the same time, the technology giant is introducing its own developer program to encourage innovation on the platform.

With the launch of the Soneium platform, Sony aims to dive deeper into Web3 and use its expertise to accelerate the introduction of blockchain applications. A key component of the ecosystem is the ASTR token.

Soneium should be a cost-effective alternative for consumer-oriented applications. The platform's initial partners include networks such as Circle, Optimism, Alchemy, The Graph and Chainlink.

The project was initially launched in 2023 with Startale Labs, a company focused on Web3 infrastructure. Sony Network Communications Labs has since developed Soneium further.

The launch of the test network and developer program could foreshadow the increasing integration of blockchain applications into Sony's core industries.