Sony is likely to launch a US dollar stablecoin for payments in gaming, anime, and other ecosystems.

[Sony may launch a dollar stablecoin for payments in gaming and anime ecosystems] Sony Group plans to issue a dollar-denominated stablecoin next year for U.S. customers to use within its digital ecosystem to purchase content such as games and anime. This move was proposed after Sony's banking division, Sony Bank, applied for a national bank charter in the United States in October. This charter will allow its subsidiary, Connectia Trust, to engage in “certain specified activities involving cryptocurrency,” including the issuance of stablecoins pegged to the US dollar, maintaining corresponding reserve assets, and providing custody and digital asset management services. Sony Bank has partnered with the stablecoin company Bastion, which will provide the infrastructure for the Sony stablecoin. Sony Bank hopes that American customers can use its stablecoin to pay for game subscriptions and other content on the PlayStation platform, which will reduce the fees associated with credit card payments. Previously, Sony and its partner Startale Group launched the ETH Layer2 network Soneium in January 2025. Sony Group also operates the PlayStation platform and Crunchyroll anime streaming service. (Decrypt)