Sony Bank Eyes US Market With New Dollar Stablecoin
- Sony outlines a 2026 stablecoin plan to transform PlayStation digital payments.
- US banking groups voice concern about the structure, as it offers no federal safeguards.
- Sony expands its Web3 branch as it builds a broad system for new digital activity.
Sony Bank plans to launch a US dollar-pegged stablecoin in 2026 for payments across the Sony ecosystem. The bank wants US users to buy PlayStation games, subscriptions, and anime content with the token. The group sees the United States as a key market because it accounts for more than 30% of Sony’s global revenue.
Sony Bank filed for a US banking license in October to set up a stablecoin-focused trust unit. The bank also partnered with Bastion, a US stablecoin infrastructure provider. Sony’s venture arm later joined Bastion’s $14.6 million funding round, which Coinbase Ventures led. Sony Financial Group confirmed that it will support the plan despite its recent corporate split from Sony Group.
Licensing Push and Compliance Steps
The report said that Sony Bank started its regulatory process with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC will now check if Sony’s trust bank design fits current rules. It will also review the stablecoin model for consumer protection and risk controls.
Sony Bank plans a local branch to manage token issuance and compliance needs. The bank says the GENIUS Act made the process possible. Sony and Connectia Trust continue to build the technical systems with Bastion while they wait for approval.
US banking groups raised concerns during early discussions. The Independent Community Bankers of America argued that the token functions like a deposit product without FDIC insurance. The group warned that this structure could expose consumers to risk.
The ICBA also said current rules do not permit a checking-style product under a trust charter. It added that Sony Bank has not met the same requirements that domestic banks must follow. The debate now raises a larger question: Can non-traditional issuers operate stablecoins without the same oversight as regulated banks?
Sony Expands Web3 Operations
Sony Bank accelerated its Web3 strategy before filing the license application. The bank created a Web3 subsidiary in June and later named it BlockBloom. The group describes digital assets as part of many services and business models. Sony Bank said in May that wallets for NFTs and cryptocurrency assets continue to gain importance. The bank also noted rising demand for crypto exchange services.
BlockBloom plans to combine fan experiences, NFTs, artists, fiat payments, and digital currencies into a single ecosystem. Sony wants the stablecoin to support those services by lowering payment costs and improving transaction flow. The company also aims to reduce the fees it currently pays to card networks by adding the token alongside standard credit card options.
Related: Sony’s Soneium Score Transforms On-Chain Actions Into Rewards
Growing Institutional Momentum
Stablecoins gained increased attention in 2024 and 2025. Western Union announced plans for a US-dollar token on Solana called the US Dollar Payment Token, targeting an early 2026 release. Nine European banks plan a euro stablecoin under full MiCA compliance in 2026.
Wyoming introduced the Frontier Stable Token, known as FRNT. It stands as the first state-issued stablecoin in the US and runs on seven blockchains, including Ethereum and Solana.
Sony’s stablecoin success now depends on regulator approval, US user adoption, and competition from established issuers. The company aims for a fiscal 2026 launch if it receives approval.
