Exploring the Sony Chain Ecosystem: Overview of 60+ Early Projects and Airdrop Opportunities

Sony Group has just established a blockchain department and launched the Ethereum Layer-2 network Soneium, dedicated to providing an open internet platform for creators.

Quick Understanding of Sony Chain

Soneium is an Ethereum Layer-2 co-founded by Sony and Startale Labs. Startale Labs is known for building the renowned Japanese public chain Astar Network.

Soneium is a universal blockchain platform for creators and developers. It is built on the OP Stack and integrated with the Optimism Superchain.

The purpose of Sony Chain is to go mainstream. Soneium officials have repeatedly mentioned "Go Mainstream" and cleverly borrowed the commonly used abbreviation GM (Go Mainstream) among Web3 users, which is well received by users.

Soneium and Astar Network

Astar Network is transforming its Astar zkEVM into Soneium L2. This collaboration enables Astar to leverage Sony's expertise in entertainment, gaming, and finance to integrate Web3 technology into real-world applications.

Brand rebranding has promoted the development of the Astar ecosystem, enhanced interoperability, and increased the value of $ASTR through higher sequencer revenue, a broader user base, and greater utility.

$ASTR will support the Soneium ecosystem, but the Gas token will still be $ETH. There are no plans for Soneium to launch a native token in the near future.

Soneium Minato Testnet and Spark Incubation Program

Soneium Minato testnet was launched on August 28 as a platform for developers and creators to build and experiment with dApps.

Soneium Spark is an ecosystem builder program that provides visionary developers, creators, and projects with up to $100,000 in investment for each team. Other support includes marketing, business, and technical assistance.

Overview of 60+ Ecosystem Projects

In just half a month, Soneium has had over 60 projects announce development or integration. We have categorized these projects into eight main categories: SocialFi, GameFi, RWA, DeFi, NFT, infrastructure, protocols, and cross-chain bridges.

1. SocialFi

• Yay!: A Web2 social platform with 9 million users is transitioning to Web3 Social-Fi.
• Metadomo: A decentralized "loyalty points" trading platform.
• Layer3: An innovative Web3 task platform with over 4 million users.

2. GameFi

• Heal3: A health-focused GameFi based on Astar zkEVM.
• Derby Race: A horse racing prediction game based on Soneium.
• Metapro: An innovative platform focused on GameFi.
• SuperVol: It may be a game-like binary options/prediction market.

3. RWA

• All Access: Fan Economy Platform.
• OpenEden: On-chain US Treasury Bond Protocol.
• DeStore Network: Web3 e-commerce platform.

4. DeFi

• Ionic: Multi-chain lending platform.
• L2X Pro: Aimed to become the trading and liquidity hub of Astar.
• Very Long Swap: Provides functions such as Swap, LP, perpetual contracts, and IDO.
• Algem: LSD Protocol.
• waveX: The native perpetual DEX on Soneium.
• UntitledBank: The native decentralized lending platform on Soneium.
• Velodrome: A well-established DEX in the Optimism ecosystem.
• Avalon Finance: A multi-chain lending platform.
• C14: Astar zkEVM's decentralized lending platform.
• Sake Finance: The native lending platform on Soneium.
• Neemo Finance: LSD Protocol.
• QuickSwap: A well-established DeFi protocol on Polygon.
• Solv Protocol: A DeFi protocol focused on ERC-3525.
• SynStation: Token Staking Protocol.
• SoneFi: The native DeFi platform on Soneium.

5. Infrastructure

• Alchemy: Provides API and developer tools.
• Graph Protocol: Provides on-chain data for developers.
• Sentio: On-chain monitoring tool.
• Thirdweb: Full-stack Web3 development platform.
• Pyth Network: Real-time price data oracle.
• Sequence: Full-stack Web3 developer platform.

6. NFT

• Bluez: NFT Market.
• Sonova: NFT Market.
• NFTs2Me: NFT deployment platform.

7. Agreement

Astar zkEVM is built on the foundation, Optimism is a newly emerging star project in the ecosystem, and Circle, as the founding partner, will support USDC.

8. Cross-Chain Bridge

• Chainlink: Integrated Soneium Network as a founding partner.
• Layerswap: Multi-chain cross-chain bridge.
• Superbridge: A cross-chain solution based on Rollup.
• Owlto Finance: Supports various Rollups and CEX cross-chain bridges.
• Orbiter Finance: Multi-chain cross-chain bridge.

Summary

1. Soneium is a brand new Ethereum Layer-2 developed by Sony, aimed at providing an open internet platform for creators.

2. Sony's global influence may generate significant interest in Soneium among Web2 users.

3. However, there are already numerous L2 solutions in the market, and whether Soneium can gain sufficient attention remains to be seen.