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Sony Block Solutions Labs has announced the launch of Soneium Minato, a new Ethereum layer-2 testnet, alongside an incubation programme called Soneium Spark. Aimed at establishing Soneium as a key Web3 infrastructure, the initiatives leverage Sony Group’s reach to drive mainstream adoption across a range of applications.
Driven by the vision to “Realise the Open Internet that Transcends Boundaries,” Sony Block Solutions Labs seeks to demystify and promote Web3 to a wider audience. The company aims to cultivate an internet where anyone can become a creator, making Web3 services more accessible and engaging, even for those unfamiliar with the technology.
Soneium Minato, positioned as the first step towards this vision, provides a public blockchain testnet open to all developers and creators.
“We have opened our testnet as a first step to foster a fan community centred on creators that can connect diverse values through Soneium,” said Jun Watanabe, Chairman of Sony Blockchain Solutions Labs and Senior General Manager of Business Incubation Platform of Sony Group Corporation.
“We look forward to working with partners who relate to our vision and are willing to participate in collaboration with Sony Group. Let’s work together to create new value in Web3 toward a world where Web3 services are used in people’s daily life.”
The testnet encourages early community formation and feedback, crucial for refining services and creating a robust ecosystem. By accessing apps on Soneium Minato, users can experience diverse services, join nascent communities, and help shape the future of these applications.
“The leadership shown by Sony Group with the launch of Soneium is a strong signal of the advancements taking place in the blockchain industry,” said Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs.
“We are excited to support Soneium’s vision through the Chainlink platform, enabling Soneium to extensively impact the current blockchain landscape and drive adoption both regionally, in markets like Japan, and globally.”
Building on the existing Ethereum layer 1, Soneium leverages the Optimism Foundation’s Op Stack to address scalability and high fee issues. This results in an EVM-compatible, developer-friendly blockchain for broader adoption.
Alongside the testnet, the Soneium Spark programme aims to cultivate a community of developers and creators. It provides the resources and support needed to transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions.
“Soneium becomes stronger by partnering with builders,” explained Sota Watanabe, Director of Sony Blockchain Solutions Labs. “Through Soneium Spark, we bridge Web3 and Web2, startups and enterprises, and innovative builders and the mass users.”
Soneium Spark provides expert mentorship, advanced infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and valuable market connections for selected projects, with funding opportunities up to $100,000 USD for each team.
“By utilizing the resources of the Sony Group and the insight from Startale, we plan to forge a mainstream path alongside our community. We’re looking forward to the innovative applications that will spring up globally,” commented Watanabe.
The initiative concentrates on pivotal sectors such as DeFi, Web3 experiences like NFTs, gaming, entertainment, and social platforms, alongside a special category dedicated to other pioneering ideas.
Supported by a robust network of collaborators that includes top-tier infrastructure providers, market leaders in various industries, and renown venture capital firms, Soneium Spark aims to accelerate the widespread adoption of Web3 technologies.
Applications for the inaugural group of Soneium Spark are set to open soon, with the program starting in mid-October and extending over the subsequent months. This program will be conducted completely online while also incorporating some offline activities.
“In partnership with Startale Labs, we are facilitating the inception of Soneium by empowering developers worldwide to reclaim control over their creations and their data,” states Tegan Kline, CEO & Co-Founder of Edge & Node, the team initially behind The Graph.
“We advocate for decentralizing power on the internet – leveraging blockchain technology reinstates authority to creators. It’s our hope that more leading companies will emulate Sony Group’s example.”
See also: Bitwise will donate 10% of Ethereum ETF profits to developers
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