Sony launches Soneium mainnet to power fan-driven web3 experiences

Sony’s Soneium mainnet is officially live, offering creators faster, cheaper blockchain solutions and tools to connect with fans through NFTs and crypto.

On January 14, Sony launched Soneium, a blockchain mainnet that helps artists connect more directly with fans, further building on the success of its 2024 testnet Soneium Minato, which attracted more than 15 million wallets and more than 50 million transactions.

Today is the day. Soneium Mainnet is LIVE! 💿

Launched by Sony Block Solutions Labs (Sony BSL) @Sony Group company Soneium is a Layer 2 blockchain that empowers creators, fans and communities to protect their rights, connect globally and create an open internet… pic.twitter.com/4pTxYdueHY

— Soneium 💿 (@soneium) January 14, 2025

Sony introduced S.BLOX, which is revamping the way people trade cryptocurrencies, and teased its NFT-based Fan Marketing Platform coming in early 2025.

The S.BLOX exchange offers users a simplified way to acquire crypto assets for participation in web3 applications. To celebrate its launch, S.BLOX is rewarding new users with Bitcoin (BTC) and announced an upcoming NFT campaign in collaboration with Ghost in the Shell.

Meanwhile, the NFT-based Fan Marketing Platform, set to launch in February 2025, simplifies NFT issuance and engagement metrics by offering integrated web-based wallets with social login options. The platform also provides creators with tools to engage with their audiences using NFT-based projects.

Developers and creators using the testnet can now port their apps to the mainnet, unlocking practical applications like fan-driven community events and in-app cryptocurrency payments.

Soneium functions as a layer 2 solution for Ethereum (ETH), creating a network on top of the existing ETH layer 1 and managing data processing, solving problems such as slow data processing speed and increased fees occurring in layer 1.

Additionally, Soneium leverages the Optimism (OP) stack developed by the Optimism Foundation, creating a scalable, EVM-compatible, and developer-friendly blockchain.

Also in 2024, Sony Block Solutions Labs partnered with Startale Group to develop the Web3 infrastructure that underpins Soneium’s mainnet.