If you don't know about Sony, you can understand its global influence through these numbers:
- Over 900 million Sony devices are in use (TVs, cameras, audio equipment, PS game consoles, mobile phones, etc.)
- A digital media empire spanning movies, music, and games, with 1.16 billion active users, and over 150 million units of the video game device PS2 sold globally.
Sony ranks 131st in the world with a market value of $117.45 billion and had revenue of $87.483 billion from June 2023 to June 2024.
Sony has just established a blockchain department and launched the Ethereum Layer-2 network Soneium, which some domestic users refer to as "Sony Chain," dedicated to providing an open internet for creators.
Quickly understand Soneium
Soneium is an Ethereum Layer-2 jointly established by Sony and Startale Labs, the latter known for building Japan's largest public chain, Astar Network.
Soneium is a general-purpose blockchain platform for creators and developers, with Startale providing its professional blockchain development knowledge for construction, leveraging Sony's global influence for expansion.
Soneium is built on OP Stack and integrated with Optimism Superchain.
The goal of Sony Chain is to go mainstream. The official Soneium account has mentioned "Go Mainstream" more than ten times, cleverly using the abbreviation "GM" (Go Mainstream) most commonly mentioned by Web3 users, which is well received by Web3 users. Who says that Web2 giants don't understand Web3?
Soneium x Astar Network
Astar Network is reshaping its Astar zkEVM into Soneium L2 (through migration, not just a simple renaming), unlocking new potential. As announced, the collaboration with Sony Group enables Astar to integrate Web3 technology into real-world applications in entertainment, gaming, and finance, covering a broader audience.
Announcement: https://x.com/AstarNetwork/status/1826832310949347807
The rebranding promotes the development of the Astar ecosystem, enhances interoperability, and increases the value of $ASTR through higher sorter revenue, a broader user base, and greater utility.
$ASTR will support the Soneium ecosystem, but Gas token remains $ETH. Soneium has no plans to launch a native token in the near future.
Soneium Minato Testnet and Spark Incubation Program
The Soneium Minato testnet was launched on August 28 as an experimental ground for developers and creators to build and test dApps.
Users can bridge ETH test coins from the Sepolia testnet to Minato using the Soneium native cross-chain bridge.
https://bridge.soneium.org/en/testnet
Soneium Spark is a program centered on ecosystem builders, providing up to $100,000 in investment for visionary developers, creators, and projects. Other support includes marketing, business, and technical assistance.
The first batch of projects for Soneium Spark has started accepting applications, and incubation will begin in mid-October, continuously bringing new applications to the Sony Chain ecosystem.
Overview of 60+ Ecosystem Projects
In just half a month, Soneium has had over 60 projects announced for development or integration. With the triple halo of Sony's global influence, the vision of going mainstream users, and the Spark program, more projects are set to be unveiled. Next, we will introduce and categorize them one by one, providing an overview of the rapidly developing Sony Chain ecosystem.
We will categorize the ecosystem projects into eight major categories: SocialFi, GameFi, RWA, DeFi, NFT, infrastructure, protocols, and cross-chain bridges.
1. SocialFi
Yay!
Yay! is a popular Web2 social platform designed to be a virtual world where users connect through interests. Since its launch in 2020, it has attracted over 9 million users and has over 100,000 online communities.
In August 2023, Yay! began its transition to Web3 Social-Fi applications, first integrating Worldcoin, and then collaborating with leading Web3 protocols such as LayerZero.
Yay! announced its collaboration with Soneium and launched an ETH staking activity with a limit of 1000 ETH (redeemable at any time). Participants will have priority access to future benefits (such as native tokens, NFTs), and the quota is already full.
https://dashboard.yay.space/stake
Metadomo
Metadomo is a decentralized "loyalty points" trading platform that connects users' traditional loyalty program points (airline miles, credit card, telecom points), game points, and global merchants (100,000 globally). Users can earn the native token $DOMO by spending points on the platform.
Built on the Soneium network, the product is not yet launched, and the token is not yet issued.
Layer3
Layer3 is an innovative Web3 task platform that, compared to leading task platforms like Galxe, has the advantage of generating a unified view of user on-chain identities by aggregating user activities across multiple chains and dApps, enabling highly targeted and efficient token distribution for project parties.
The platform currently has over 4 million users and over a billion social interaction data.
Layer3 promptly released exploration tasks for Soneium, such as asset cross-chain and joining Discord, to explore the Soneium Minato testnet. The number of participants has exceeded 47,000.
https://app.layer3.xyz/quests/the-soneium-minato-testnet
2. GameFi
Heal3
Heal3 is a health-focused GameFi based on Astar zkEVM, where players need to purchase NFT clothing (tops/pants/shoes) to earn $GHT tokens through sleep, diet management, and outdoor activities. The rarer the NFT, the more token rewards, which can be used to upgrade or trade NFTs.
As one of the few GameFi running on the Astar ecosystem, although not yet announced, it is highly likely to migrate to the Soneium network.
Derby Race
Derby Race is a horse racing prediction game based on Soneium, strictly speaking, a GambleFi product, currently under development. The team has previously developed similar games such as xDerby Raffle and Derby On-chain Race.
Metapro
Metapro (Meta Protocol) is an innovative platform focused on GameFi, with main functions including development portal (providing GameFi development tools), Launcher (game launch and token issuance), and Web3 wallet (asset wallet for the Metapro game ecosystem).
Metapro announced its immediate support for the Soneium chain in its game wallet.
SuperVol
SuperVol does not have detailed information yet, but it may be a gamified binary options/prediction market.
3. RWA
All Access
All Access is a fan economy platform, similar to a brand growth platform. The platform collaborates with 50+ offline events/celebrities, allowing fans to earn points and exchange for VIP experiences, while also providing a decentralized solution for brands to directly attract and reward their most loyal fans.
No token issuance yet, and no specific construction on Soneium has been announced.
OpenEden
OpenEden is an on-chain US Treasury bond protocol that allows users to invest in US Treasury bills (T-Bill) by holding its native stablecoin TBILL, with an expected annualized return of 4.89%. TVL exceeds $100 million.
- Users deposit USDC into the OpenEden treasury and receive TBILL tokens
- TBILL tokens are linked to US Treasury bonds, generating returns
- Users can redeem TBILL on-chain at any time and receive USDC
Team members come from Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Gemini, Binance, and other Web2 and Web3 giants.
No token issuance yet, and no specific construction on Soneium has been announced.
DeStore Network
DeStore Network is a Web3 e-commerce platform in the Astar ecosystem, enabling businesses to sell digital twin assets (physical + digital assets) in Web3.
No token issuance yet, but it is confirmed to migrate to Soneium, worth paying attention to opportunities in the testnet.
4. DeFi
Ionic
Ionic is a multi-chain lending platform, currently supporting Optimism, Base, BOB, Mode, and other L2 networks, with a TVL exceeding $200 million.
Token issued, and the official hint suggests imminent support for the Soneium network.
L2X Pro
L2X Pro is a DEX on Astar zkEVM, aiming to be the trading and liquidity hub of Astar, with a not very high TVL.
Token not issued yet, but confirmed to migrate to Soneium, worth paying attention to opportunities in the testnet.
Very Long Swap
Very Long Swap is a DEX on Astar zkEVM, with functions including Swap, LP, perpetual contracts, IDO, etc., with a current TVL of only $176,000.
Currently live on Soneium testnet, and has released task activities on Layer3.
Testnet: https://testnet.verylongswap.xyz/
L3 tasks: https://app.layer3.xyz/quests/trending-now-swap-on-soneium-minato
Algem
Algem is an LSD protocol on Astar zkEVM, where users can stake ASTR and receive an equivalent amount of nASTR. It ranks among the top in user data in the Astar DeFi ecosystem, with no token issuance yet, but confirmed to migrate to Soneium, worth paying attention to opportunities in the testnet.
waveX
waveX is the native perpetual DEX on Soneium, the first on Soneium, currently in development. It integrates various LSTs, such as the aforementioned nASTR and Ethereum's stETH, enriching waveX's liquidity pool and providing additional income for LST holders.
Currently has a TG mini-game: https://t.me/wavextreasurehuntbot
Play the game and fill out the form to enter the USDT giveaway: https://gleam.io/fMTSs/treasure-hunt-airdrop-event
Untitled Bank
Untitled Bank is the native decentralized lending platform on Soneium, with efficient liquidity management, risk-isolated lending structure, and modular design for enhanced flexibility and security.
Currently in development, no further information available.
Velodrome
Velodrome is a veteran DEX in the Optimism ecosystem and the top-ranked DeFi protocol in terms of TVL. It rewards liquidity providers (LPs) and active governance participants through the issuance of its native token VELO and allocation to veVELO (veNFT).
Expressed immediate support for Soneium, but has not announced specific integration.
Avalon Finance
Avalon Finance is a multi-chain lending platform deployed on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Scroll, BNB Chain, Bitlayer, CoreDAO, and other chains. It primarily focuses on BTC ecosystem lending, supporting BTC LST token deposits and borrowing. It has the largest market size on the Bitlayer chain, with a total lending amount of $280 million, followed by Merlin and CoreDAO.
Two modes:
Decentralized lending: multi-chain, supports BTC LST
CeDeFi lending: connects DeFi with institutional CeFi liquidity providers, with a TVL of nearly $80 million.
No token issuance yet. It may soon support lending on the Soneium testnet or immediately after the mainnet launch. Worth paying attention to opportunities in the testnet.
C14
C14 is a decentralized lending platform on Astar zkEVM, with a not very large market size.
No token issuance yet, confirmed to migrate to Soneium, worth paying attention to opportunities in the testnet.
Sake Finance
Sake Finance is the native lending platform on Soneium, likely over-collateralized.
Currently in the Sake Finance Discord community, doing tasks in the faq channel for a chance to win OG status. The official hint suggests a possible test version launch in September.
Discord link: https://discord.gg/jmnr4rNR
Neemo Finance
Neemo Finance is an LSD protocol on the Astar network, similar to the Algem mechanism mentioned above, where users stake ASTR to receive nsASTR, enjoy staking returns, and can trade nsASTR at any time or invest in the LSDFi protocol.
Launched on the Astar mainnet on September 9, confirmed to migrate to Soneium, possibly imminent. No token issuance yet.
QuickSwap
QuickSwap is a veteran DeFi protocol on Polygon, hinting at future support for the Soneium network.
Solv Protocol
Solv Protocol is a veteran DeFi protocol, focusing on ERC-3525, aiming to tokenize various future cash flows to bring a completely new asset class to the industry.
This year, by accurately tapping into the BTCFi track, the issuance of the fully-chain yield Bitcoin-wrapped coin SolvBTC has been widely popular. SolvBTC is deployed on the Bitcoin mainnet, Ethereum, BNB Chain, and other chains. As a unified liquidity gateway, Solv integrates various liquidity resources and investment opportunities onto one platform. Users can manage their investments on the Solv Protocol without needing to access multiple different platforms or protocols.
Solv also hit the LSD track, introducing LSD functionality for SolvBTC, allowing users to stake and receive LST tokens SolvBTC.BBN (Babylon staking) and SolvBTC.ENA (Ethena staking), not only earning returns but also potentially gaining additional income in the LSDFi protocol.
Token issued, announced to be under construction on Soneium.
SynStation
SynStation is a token staking protocol, native to Soneium.
Currently launched a staking to earn points activity on the Ethereum mainnet, allowing staking of ETH, USDT, USDC, and WBTC, with assets to be migrated to Soneium after the mainnet launch. The first 100 users staking 10 ETH can receive OG NFT, DYOR.
SoneFi
SoneFi is the native DeFi platform on Soneium, offering functions such as Swap, perpetual contracts, and Launchpad.
The test version is live, allowing users to claim test coins for swapping and LP formation.
5. Infrastructure
Alchemy
Soneium's announced technical partner, launching API and developer tools in September.
Graph Protocol
Soneium's announced technical partner, providing secure and reliable on-chain data for developers.
Sentio
Soneium's announced technical partner, Sentio is an on-chain monitoring tool that helps developers track and collect events, transactions, and contract states.
Thirdweb
A full-stack Web3 development platform, soon to integrate with the Soneium chain.
Deploy tokens, NFTs, and increase testnet tx:
https://thirdweb.com/thirdweb.eth/DropERC721/deploy
Pyth Network
Soneium's announced infrastructure partner, deploying real-time price data oracles.
Sequence
Sequence is Soneium's infrastructure partner, a full-stack Web3 developer platform providing tools such as wallets, markets, smart contract management, indexers, and game engines. Currently integrating with the Soneium network.
6. NFT
Bluez
Bluez is an NFT marketplace on the Astar network, with no token issuance yet, and will migrate to the Soneium network.
Sonova
Sonova is an NFT marketplace on the Astar network, with no token issuance yet (with TGE plans), confirmed to migrate to the Soneium network, worth paying attention to opportunities in the testnet.
NFTs2Me
NFTs2Me is an NFT deployment platform that supports developers in quickly creating and deploying NFT collections without code.
Added support for the Soneium testnet. Deployment tool: https://nfts2me.com/app/soneium-minato-testnet/
NFTs2Me has released a commemorative NFT on the testnet, with 0 minting fee, available for minting, leaving a standard tx. DYOR.
https://angry-raccoon.testnet.nfts2.me/
7. Protocols
Astar zkEVM as the foundation, a rising star project in the Optimism ecosystem, with Circle as a founding partner supporting USDC.
8. Cross-chain Bridges
Chainlink
Chainlink, as a founding partner, integrates with the Soneium network.
Layerswap
Layerswap is a multi-chain cross-chain bridge, supporting asset cross-chain between 35 L1/L2 and over 15 centralized exchanges.
Layerswap has integrated the Soneium testnet, allowing cross-chain assets from Ethereum Sepolia, Loopring Sepolia, Arbitrum Sepolia, Immutable zkEVM Testnet, and other testnets to the Soneium testnet.
Token not issued yet, therefore worth engaging in cross-chain interactions between multiple testnets and Soneium on Layerswap, also serving as tx.
Superbridge
Superbridge is a Rollup-based cross-chain solution, supporting asset cross-chain between any OP Stack or Arbitrum Nitro chains, aiming to support all Rollups on the market.
Superbridge will support asset cross-chain after the launch of the Soneium mainnet.
Owlto Finance
Owlto Finance is a cross-chain bridge supporting various Rollups and CEX, now supporting cross-chain operations from the Soneium testnet to Ethereum Sepolia, Plume Testnet, and Bera Bartio.
Token not issued yet, worth engaging in some testnet cross-chain interactions, serving as tx.
Orbiter Finance
The multi-chain cross-chain bridge Orbiter has added support for Soneium on the testnet and will support the mainnet in the future.
Summary
Soneium, developed by Sony, is a new Ethereum Layer-2 aiming to provide an open internet for creators.
Sony's well-known name and mature global influence may attract significant interest from Web2 users in Soneium.
However, with numerous L2 solutions already in the market, the extent to which Soneium can attract Web3 users and mainstream user attention remains to be observed.
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