Sony launches Layer-2 network Soneium with over 60 projects announced to settle in.

Sony is a globally renowned technology giant, and its influence can be glimpsed from the following data:

Over 900 million Sony devices are currently in use worldwide, including TVs, cameras, audio equipment, and gaming consoles. Sony has a vast digital media empire spanning film, music, and gaming, with active users reaching 116 million. Its flagship product, the PlayStation 2, has sold over 150 million units globally.

Sony's market value reached $117.45 billion, ranking it as the 131st most valuable company in the world. The revenue for the fiscal year 2023-2024 reached $87.483 billion.

Recently, Sony established a blockchain division and launched the Ethereum Layer-2 network Soneium, aiming to provide an open internet platform for creators.

Soneium is an Ethereum Layer-2 co-founded by Sony and Startale Labs. Startale Labs is known for creating Japan's largest public chain, Astar Network. Soneium is built on the OP Stack and is integrated with Optimism Superchain.

Its vision is to drive Web3 towards mainstream adoption. Soneium officially frequently mentions the slogan "Go Mainstream", cleverly borrowing the abbreviation GM(Good Morning) commonly used by Web3 users, which has received positive feedback from the community.

Astar Network is migrating and reshaping its Astar zkEVM into Soneium L2. This collaboration allows Astar to leverage Sony's expertise in entertainment, gaming, and finance to integrate Web3 technology into real-world applications.

This brand restructuring is expected to promote the development of the Astar ecosystem, enhance interoperability, and increase the value of $ASTR through higher sequencer revenues, a broader user base, and greater utility. $ASTR will support the Soneium ecosystem, but the Gas token will still be $ETH.

The Soneium Minato testnet was launched on August 28, providing developers and creators with an environment to build and test dApps. Users can transfer ETH test coins from the Sepolia testnet to Minato through the native cross-chain bridge.

Soneium has also launched the Spark Incubation Program, providing visionary developers, creators, and projects with investments of up to $100,000, as well as marketing, business, and technical support. The first batch of projects has begun to apply, and incubation will start in mid-October.

In just half a month, over 60 projects have announced their development or integration on Soneium. These projects can be roughly categorized into SocialFi, GameFi, RWA, DeFi, NFT, infrastructure, protocols, and cross-chain bridges.

In the SocialFi field, the main projects include:

Yay! - A Web2 social platform is transitioning to Web3 SocialFi, having partnered with Soneium and launched an ETH staking event.

Metadomo - A decentralized "loyalty points" trading platform that connects traditional points with global merchants.

Layer3 - An innovative Web3 task platform that has launched task activities to explore Soneium.

Representative projects in the GameFi sector include:

Heal3 - A health-oriented GameFi based on Astar zkEVM, potentially migrating to Soneium.

Derby Race - A horse racing prediction game based on Soneium, currently in development.

Metapro - An innovative platform focused on GameFi will support Soneium in its gaming wallet.

Important projects in the field of RWA( physical assets ) include:

All Access - A fan economy platform that provides brands with decentralized solutions to directly attract and reward fans.

OpenEden - On-chain US Treasury Bond Protocol that allows users to invest in US Treasury bills through TBILL tokens.

DeStore Network - Web3 e-commerce platform that supports businesses in selling digital twin assets.

The main projects in the DeFi sector are:

Ionic - Multi-chain lending platform, soon to support Soneium.

L2X Pro - The DEX originally on Astar zkEVM will migrate to Soneium.

Very Long Swap - A DEX that has launched a beta version on Soneium.

Algem - The LSD protocol will migrate from Astar zkEVM to Soneium.

waveX - Soneium native perpetual DEX, will integrate various LSTs.

UntitledBank - Soneium's native decentralized lending platform.

In addition, several DeFi projects such as Velodrome, Avalon Finance, C14, and Sake Finance have announced support for or will soon support Soneium.

In terms of infrastructure, Alchemy, Graph Protocol, Sentio, and others serve as technical partners to support Soneium. Thirdweb, Pyth Network, Sequence, and others are also actively integrating the Soneium network.

In terms of the NFT market, Bluez and Sonova will migrate from the Astar network to Soneium, and NFTs2Me has supported the deployment of NFTs on the Soneium test network.

In terms of cross-chain, Chainlink has integrated the Soneium network as a founding partner. Cross-chain bridges such as Layerswap, Superbridge, Owlto Finance, and Orbiter Finance have also supported or are about to support Soneium.

Overall, Sony's Soneium, as an emerging Ethereum Layer-2, may attract a large number of Web2 users due to Sony's global influence. However, whether Soneium can truly attract Web3 and mainstream users in the currently crowded L2 market remains to be seen.