Nikkei via Nikkei Asia reports that Sony Bank will issue a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar for holders to use to pay for anime and gaming subscriptions. The report adds that this could be as early as fiscal year 2026.
A stablecoin is a digital currency that differs from notable cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin due to its low volatility. Holders of other cryptocurrencies can quickly exchange their coins for these stablecoins, preserving their worth (where volatility may have otherwise eaten into it). Stablecoins also let holders avoid using U.S. dollars in transactions, withdrawal fees, and USD conversion fees.
Nikkei adds that the Sony stablecoin will reduce its fees to credit card companies. It’s likely also a move to keep users within its ecosystem, more closely integrating its anime companies like Crunchyroll and Aniplex, with its gaming companies, which revolve around its PlayStation brand. This follows Crunchyroll, Aniplex. Sony Music, and PlayStation Productions announcing an anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima for 2027, developed by Sony Group company Sucker Punch Productions. Crunchyroll Manga, which launched recently, aims to keep users on its platform with features like directing anime episode viewers to the corresponding manga chapter. Anime Corner’s Jay Gibbs reviewed the app, highlighting the good and not-so-good in a recent feature.
A platform combining anime, NFTs, and gamification, such as Azuki’s anime.com, which worked with Sony’s Aniplex of America to distribute digital tokens of Fate/strange Fake to users, may be Sony’s aim. Its group has been active in digital tokens through developing the Soneium blockchain; launching the joint venture YOAKE, which issued The Seven Deadly Sins NFTs in March; launching “Anime Art Festival” in April, which sought to combine anime fandom with blockchain platforms, and debuted with Solo Leveling NFTs; and more.
Source: Nikkei Asia
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