Sony Bank aims to launch a dollar-backed token as part of its Web3 push, targeting payments across the company’s entertainment ecosystem.
The company’s financial arm, Sony Bank, plans to launch a US dollar-pegged stablecoin in 2026, potentially enabling millions of PlayStation and Crunchyroll users to pay for games, subscriptions, and anime content with a Sony-issued digital dollar.
According to Nikkei, the stablecoin will target US customers, who account for roughly 30% of Sony Group’s external sales. The token is expected to complement traditional payment methods, such as credit cards, reducing fees and simplifying cross-border payments while keeping transactions within Sony’s ecosystem.
Regulatory groundwork and partnerships
Sony Bank laid the groundwork for the project in October by applying for a national trust bank charter from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The license would allow the bank to issue a stablecoin and manage the reserve assets backing it. In parallel, the bank partnered with Bastion, a US-based stablecoin infrastructure provider, whose technology would support the new token. Sony’s venture arm also joined Bastion’s $14.6 million funding round, led by Coinbase Ventures, indicating a long-term collaboration.
While technical details remain scarce, Sony has been developing its own Ethereum Layer 2 network, Soneium, which could handle settlement for the stablecoin. The company has also established a dedicated Web3 subsidiary, BlockBloom, which focuses on blending NFTs, digital and physical experiences, and both fiat and digital currencies. The initiative reflects Sony Bank’s view that blockchain-based financial services, including wallets for crypto and NFTs, are becoming increasingly important.
The stablecoin push follows Sony Financial Group’s recent spin-off from the broader Sony conglomerate and its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in September. The separation allows the financial arm to pursue digital asset strategies independently, while the main company can focus on entertainment and hardware operations.
Integration with PlayStation and Crunchyroll
The dollar-backed token could integrate with PlayStation and Crunchyroll in several ways. Beyond acting as a payment method, it may enable faster settlements for third-party developers and content creators distributing games or anime through the respective platforms. Sony could also embed the token in loyalty programs, in-game economies, or subscription incentives, further deepening user engagement.
Sony’s stablecoin strategy positions the company alongside a small group of global enterprises exploring native digital currencies for consumer ecosystems. The token’s potential to cut card-processing fees, streamline payments, and incentivize engagement could make it a core part of the PlayStation and Crunchyroll experience.
Embracing blockchain and digital assets
While the stablecoin is still at the planning stage, Sony Bank has emphasized that digital assets and blockchain technology are becoming integral to its range of services.
“Financial services, such as wallets, which store NFT and cryptocurrency assets, and crypto exchange providers are becoming increasingly important,” the bank said in May, underlining the growing strategic focus on digital currencies.
The launch of a dollar-backed stablecoin also aligns with broader trends in blockchain adoption, where companies are looking to reduce friction in digital payments and integrate tokenized ecosystems into existing platforms.
Looking ahead
As of now, Sony Bank has not shared a detailed timeline or technical specifications, and the stablecoin will remain subject to US regulatory approval.
Nonetheless, the pieces are in place: licensing applications, venture investments, infrastructure development, and a dedicated Web3 division signal that Sony is preparing for a future where stablecoins coexist with traditional payments, rather than replace them entirely.
Oleksii Shumak
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