Sony Bank, a subsidiary of Sony Financial Group, plans to launch a US dollar stablecoin in 2026, according to reporting by Nikkei. The project is designed to support payments across Sony’s global entertainment ecosystem, including video games, streaming subscriptions, and anime platforms. The product will target the United States, a market that accounts for about 30 percent of the company’s overseas entertainment revenue.
Sony expects the stablecoin to reduce payment-processing costs for its digital services. Credit card fees remain one of the company’s largest expenses in global distribution, and adopting a blockchain-based settlement tool could streamline these transactions. The company hopes a dollar-pegged token will provide a more efficient and predictable option for recurring digital purchases.
Licensing and infrastructure plans
Sony Bank submitted an application in October for a US banking license to support the project, according to the report. The move signals a broader effort to establish a regulated presence in the United States as competition grows among global technology companies exploring digital asset infrastructure.
The bank has also entered a partnership with Bastion, a US-based stablecoin issuer. Bastion will supply the blockchain and compliance infrastructure, while Sony Bank will manage issuance and ensure the token maintains its peg to the US dollar.
While the company has not disclosed technical details, industry analysts expect the token to comply with emerging US regulatory standards for payment stablecoins. The collaboration with a licensed issuer suggests Sony intends to integrate the product into mainstream financial channels rather than launch an experimental or consumer-only token.
Industry implications
A stablecoin issued by a global entertainment company would mark one of the most significant attempts by a major corporate group to integrate digital assets into everyday digital purchases. Sony’s entertainment businesses span the PlayStation network, music services, film production, and anime distribution, giving the stablecoin multiple potential use cases from launch.
Experts note that the initiative reflects a broader trend of large technology companies exploring how digital currencies can reduce costs or reshape loyalty ecosystems. The move also comes as regulators in the United States and Europe tighten rules on stablecoin issuers, raising the bar for compliance and financial safeguards.
If successful, Sony could encourage other global entertainment and gaming companies to experiment with proprietary digital money for microtransactions and subscriptions. The project also highlights growing demand for regulated, low-volatility tokens in consumer-facing digital services.