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Sony Bank plans to issue a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin by 2026 for PlayStation and entertainment purchases, according to a Nikkei report, as the company applies for a U.S. banking license and partners with Coinbase-backed stablecoin issuer Bastion.
In what may become a major shift in digital commerce, the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment initiative aims to serve Sony’s U.S. customer base, which represents nearly 30% of Sony Group’s external sales.
The stablecoin will run alongside traditional options like credit cards but potentially reduce card-processing fees — a growing cost concern for large platforms.
Sony Bank has already applied for a U.S. banking license to establish a dedicated stablecoin subsidiary and has partnered with Bastion, a U.S. stablecoin issuer backed by Coinbase Ventures.
These moves reflect Sony’s broader Web3 ambitions and the development of BlockBloom, its new digital assets arm. With these developments, the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment plan is central to the company’s emerging strategy.
Sony Bank has been accelerating its shift into Web3 throughout 2025. In June, it launched a dedicated Web3 subsidiary — later named BlockBloom — with an initial capital investment of 300 million yen (about $1.9 million).
In a public statement, Sony Bank emphasized the expanding role of digital assets:
“Digital assets utilizing blockchain technology are incorporated into a diverse range of services and business models,” the bank said in May.
It added that “financial services, such as wallets, which store NFT (non-fungible tokens) and cryptocurrency assets, and crypto exchange providers are becoming increasingly important.”
This vision aligns with the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment strategy, which sits at the intersection of gaming, entertainment, and blockchain-based financial services.
BlockBloom aims to build a wide ecosystem linking fans, artists, digital experiences, NFTs, and payment layers — both fiat and blockchain-powered. Sony’s move echoes a broader industry trend toward integrating tokenized experiences within consumer platforms.
As Sony expands BlockBloom, the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment model becomes a potential anchor for the company’s digital economy expansion, especially as in-game marketplaces and media platforms rapidly shift toward blockchain-enabled payments.
Sony Bank’s stablecoin initiative follows a major structural change within the Sony conglomerate. In September, Sony Financial Group was spun off from Sony Group and listed independently on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The restructuring was designed to give both entities clearer operational focus. For Sony Bank, this has opened the door to pursue specialized fintech offerings — including the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment infrastructure — without the constraints of the broader entertainment and electronics divisions.
By establishing a U.S.-focused stablecoin subsidiary and investing in Bastion’s $14.6 million funding round, Sony is positioning itself to compete in the rapidly evolving payments sector. The Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment rollout would not only support Sony’s gaming and media operations but also strengthen its financial technology footprint globally.
Sony Bank did not provide a comment to sources regarding the stablecoin plans by the time of publication. Still, the company’s sustained investment in Web3 infrastructure, coupled with its efforts to secure U.S. regulatory approval, highlight how serious Sony’s push has become.
The potential adoption of the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment system in 2026 could redefine how digital transactions occur across Sony platforms, from PlayStation Store purchases to subscription services. It could also reduce reliance on conventional financial intermediaries, improve transaction efficiency, and support Web3-native experiences.
For blockchain integration in major consumer platforms, this marks one of the most significant moves yet by a global entertainment giant. As Sony continues building BlockBloom and securing U.S. licensing pathways, the Sony PlayStation stablecoin payment initiative will remain a development to watch — with potential implications for regulators, gamers, crypto users, and the global entertainment industry.
