The blockchain division of Japanese conglomerate Sony has launched the Soneium mainnet.

Today is the day. Soneium Mainnet is LIVE! 💿

Launched by Sony Block Solutions Labs (Sony BSL), a @Sony Group company, Soneium is a Layer 2 blockchain that empowers creators, fans, and communities to protect their rights, connect globally, and build an open internet that… pic.twitter.com/4pTxYdueHY
— Soneium 💿 (@soneium) January 14, 2025

Built using OP Stack and Superchain from Optimism, this Layer-2 solution on Ethereum is designed as a “general-purpose network” for an ecosystem of financial and entertainment applications. The target audience includes content creators and their communities.

The network’s developers, Sony BSL, represent a joint blockchain initiative by Sony Group and Singapore-based Web3 company Startale Labs.

In late August 2024, the team rolled out Soneium Minato in testnet, supported by Optimism Foundation, Circle, Alchemy, The Graph, and Chainlink. Concurrently, they launched Soneium Spark, an app developer incubation program.

According to a Sony press release, 17 million accounts were registered on Soneium Minato during its test phase, with more than 47 million transactions processed and around 1,700 applications created. The team noted that testnet developments are, by default, compatible with the mainnet.

Along with the launch of Soneium, Sony BSL released an updated version of the crypto exchange S.BLOX, essentially a rebranding and enhancement of WhaleFin—acquired by Sony Group in August 2023.

As part of a promotional campaign, creators are offering a 3,000 yen (about $19 or 0.0002 BTC) Bitcoin equivalent reward for registering a new account. In February, they plan to distribute Ghost in the Shell-themed NFTs.

Also in February, SNFT Inc will unveil its Fan Marketing Platform on the Soneium blockchain for NFTs.

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