Startale Group launched an institutional-grade U.S. dollar stablecoin on December 3 for Sony's Soneium blockchain, positioning the digital currency as the default payment mechanism across the Ethereum Layer-2 network.
The stablecoin, Startale USD (USDSC), debuted alongside STAR Points, a rewards system that incentivizes on-chain activity through the Startale App.
Soneium, developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs in partnership with Startale, aims to bridge Sony's entertainment businesses with Web3 applications.
The launch comes as Japan accelerates its digital currency frameworks, with regulators approving yen-denominated stablecoin pilots from the country's three megabanks and authorizing JPYC, the first fully regulated yen stablecoin.
What Happened
USDSC is built on M0's universal stablecoin platform, which previously powered MetaMask's MUSD token in partnership with Stripe's Bridge platform.
The stablecoin is fully backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries and provides infrastructure for payments, settlements and liquidity across Soneium's expanding network.
Users can earn STAR Points by minting and holding USDSC, providing liquidity on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap, or completing missions within the Startale App. These points unlock access to ecosystem programs, gas credits, token launches and priority allocations for new offerings.
"USDSC is built to connect everyday users to the future of finance," Startale CEO Sota Watanabe said in a statement. He added that the stablecoin aims to make Web3 transactions feel as seamless as existing mobile apps.
Also read: Sony Bank Plans Dollar Stablecoin for PlayStation and Anime Payments by 2026
Projects building on Soneium will distribute tokens and rewards through the Startale App, using STAR Points as the distribution mechanism for ecosystem benefits. The Startale App is now accepting waitlist registrations for early access.
Why It Matters
The USDSC launch positions Startale to capture demand from the rapidly expanding tokenization market, which industry forecasts project could reach $18.9 trillion by 2033 according to a Ripple and Boston Consulting Group report.
Startale and SBI Holdings are building a 24/7 digital asset exchange for tokenized equities and real-world assets, where USDSC is expected to play a critical settlement role.
Global stablecoin circulation has surpassed $316 billion, with EY research indicating that 13% of financial institutions and corporations now use stablecoins. An additional 54% plan to adopt them within the next six to 12 months.
Separately, Sony Bank announced plans to launch its own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin by fiscal year 2026, partnering with stablecoin issuer Bastion. That initiative will target payments for gaming and anime content within Sony's consumer ecosystem, distinct from USDSC's focus on the broader Soneium Web3 platform.
Japan's Financial Services Agency recently approved a yen stablecoin pilot from MUFG, SMBC and Mizuho under a new Payment Innovation framework. The regulatory clarity is accelerating institutional adoption as traditional finance converges with decentralized infrastructure.
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