Sony is advancing into digital finance. According to Nikkei, Sony Bank plans to launch a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar in 2026 in the United States. The goal is to power a native payment method for video games, anime, and digital services within a market where stablecoins already hold over $291 billion.
Sony and Bastion Supporting Technology
To launch this future USD stablecoin, Sony Bank plans to establish a dedicated entity in the United States and has already filed for a banking license in October. The group is leveraging Bastion, an American stablecoin issuer, whose infrastructure will serve as the foundation for the project. This partnership aims to ensure strict compliance and smooth integration into the US regulatory environment.
The idea is simple: offer American Sony users an integrated payment method, faster, more cost-effective, and less dependent on traditional card networks. Less fees, fewer intermediaries, more control for Sony over its internal economy.
The stablecoin, future fuel for Sony-made games and anime
This new dollar token would be used for purchases of content, subscriptions, microtransactions, and potentially interactions within the connected universes of the group. With over 30% of its external sales in the US last year, Sony sees the stablecoin as a way to forge a direct link between its American revenues and its in-house financial infrastructure.
This move is part of a broader reshaping of the group in Web3 and blockchain. In January, Sony Block Solutions Labs launched Soneium, an Ethereum Layer 2 designed to be a platform for creators, communities, and interactive digital experiences. A native stablecoin would logically fit into this strategy.
Japan’s Full Offensive on Stablecoins
The timing is no coincidence. Japan is accelerating the development of its own stablecoin market pegged to the yen. JPYC recently received approval from authorities to launch its first yen stablecoin, while three major banks are working on a joint initiative. Sony, on the other hand, is banking on the dollar to reach its largest audience.
This upcoming Sony USD stablecoin marks a strategic step: the entry of an entertainment giant into the realm of programmable payment methods. As games, content, and blockchain merge, Sony is positioning itself to become a key player in this new digital economy.
