Soneium｜Ethereum L2 Chain Co-Developed by Sony × Startale
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Table of Contents
Soneium is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain co-developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs and Startale. Since its mainnet launch in January 2025, it has processed over 500 million transactions as of January 2026. This article covers Soneium's key features, airdrop strategies, and the latest ecosystem updates.
Project Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Chain | Ethereum L2 (OP Stack / Superchain) |
| Category | Infrastructure / Entertainment |
| Stage | Mainnet (launched January 14, 2025) |
| Funding | Over $70M total (including Startale Group Series A $63M) |
Soneium is an Ethereum L2 blockchain built on Optimism Foundation's OP Stack and Superchain technology. Combining Sony's technological prowess with Startale's Web3 expertise, it drives blockchain adoption across entertainment, finance, and creative industries. As of January 2026, it has processed over 500 million transactions and is rapidly expanding its ecosystem.
Key Features & Strengths
- Sony × Startale Co-Development: The only L2 chain that fuses Sony's global brand power with Startale's Web3 technology
- Over 500M Transactions: Achieved overwhelming traction within just one year of mainnet launch
- Over $70M in Major Funding: Completed Series A of $63M including Sony Innovation Fund $13M and SBI Group $50M
- OP Stack / Superchain Foundation: Delivers both Ethereum compatibility and scalability in a developer-friendly environment
- Entertainment Integration: Real-world use cases including Sony Bank, Tokyo Girls Collection partnership, and Expo 2025 Osaka
Token Information
As of March 2026, Soneium has not announced its own native token. ETH is used for gas fees.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Native Token | Not yet announced (gas fees paid in ETH) |
| Related Token | ASTR (Astar Network) |
| STAR Points | Earnable through Startale App (potential future tokenization) |
| Burndrop | ASTR burn → Startale ecosystem allocation (planned for 2026) |
The ASTR token can be bridged on Soneium, enabling cross-chain integration through Superchain and Chainlink CCIP. STAR Points can be accumulated through the Startale App, with planned conversion to ecosystem rewards in the future.
Airdrop & How to Participate
Soneium has not announced an official token airdrop, but point accumulation through the Soneium Score campaign and Startale App may lead to future rewards.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Point farming in progress (no official airdrop announced) |
| Current Campaign | Soneium Score Season 8 (from March 2026) |
| Point Accumulation | Startale App / STAR Points |
| Additional Opportunity | Optimism Growth Grants Season 9 (budget: 3.89M OP, For dev) |
How to Participate
-
Access the Soneium official website (https://soneium.org/en/) and explore the ecosystem
-
Access the Startale App
-
Join the waitlist and wait to receive an invitation code
-
Participate in the Soneium Score campaign to earn points and badges
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Accumulate STAR Points in the Startale App
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Use mainnet DApps such as SoneFi to contribute to the ecosystem
Ecosystem & Partnerships
- Startale App: A SuperApp deeply integrated into the Soneium ecosystem, enabling STAR Points accumulation and DApp management
- SoneFi: A platform integrating DeFi protocols on Soneium
- Sony Bank: A finance × Web3 collaboration through the Tune Life NFT campaign
- IRC APP: AI-Powered IPFi deployed on Soneium in partnership with Tokyo Girls Collection
- Optimism Superchain: Participating in the cross-chain ecosystem built on OP Stack
Related Links
- 🌐 Official Website: https://soneium.org/en/
- 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/soneium
- 💬 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/soneium
- 📄 Related Article: Astar Network Features and Guide
- 📄 Related Article: Optimism Ecosystem Guide
Summary
- Soneium is an Ethereum L2 co-developed by Sony × Startale, surpassing 500M transactions since its January 2025 mainnet launch
- Startale Group Series A $63M (Sony Innovation Fund + SBI Group) raised, rapidly expanding the ecosystem
- Soneium Score Season 8 and STAR Points enable point accumulation to prepare for future airdrops
- Sony Bank, IRC APP, and Expo 2025 Osaka showcase rich real-world use cases, driving Web3 mass adoption
Disclaimer
- ・This article is created for informational purposes only and should not be used to solicit the sale, purchase, or underwriting of cryptocurrencies, securities, or other financial products, nor should it be considered an invitation to engage in such transactions, or constitute financial or investment advice.
- ・The information and opinions in this article are obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not guarantee their accuracy, completeness, suitability, timeliness, or truthfulness.
- ・We, the authors, and all related parties are not responsible for any damage or loss caused by or related to the information published in this article. Cryptocurrencies involve hacking and other risks, so please conduct thorough research before using them.
Supervised by
Shingo Arai
CEO, Rokubunnoni Inc.
After completing a Master's degree in Management Engineering at Tokyo University of Science in 2013, Shingo Arai worked as an engineer, data scientist, and data analyst at multiple companies in the web, app, and advertising industries. He entered the cryptocurrency and blockchain space around 2017, founded Rokubunnoni Inc. in January 2018, and launched Crypto Times — a blockchain-focused media outlet — in February 2018. With approximately 9 years in the industry, his expertise spans DeFi, L1/L2 protocols, tokenomics, ZKP, and domestic/international regulatory trends. He actively conducts on-chain asset management and research. He has authored and supervised hundreds of articles, spoken at conferences in Japan and abroad, served as a DeFi investment seminar instructor, and operated KOL ambassador programs.
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