Sony Bank Enters Stablecoin Market with 2026 U.S. Launch

TLDR

• Sony Bank plans to launch a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin as early as fiscal year 2026
• Bastion will serve as Sony Bank’s sole provider for stablecoin issuance, reserve management, and custody
• Sony Bank applied for a U.S. banking license in October and is establishing a subsidiary for the stablecoin business
• The stablecoin will target Sony gaming and anime users to reduce credit card transaction fees
• The U.S. market accounts for over 30% of Sony’s external revenue

Sony Bank Inc. announced on December 1 that it will enter the U.S. stablecoin market with Bastion as its sole issuance provider. The Tokyo-based bank plans to launch a dollar-pegged stablecoin as early as fiscal year 2026.

Bastion will handle the issuance of the U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, reserve management, and custody services. The company will act as the designated service provider for Sony Bank’s first entry into the digital asset market.

Sony Bank submitted an application for a U.S. banking license in October. The bank is preparing to establish a subsidiary to operate the stablecoin business in collaboration with Bastion.

Sony Ventures Corporation CEO Kazuhito Hadano stated that Bastion and Sony Bank will bring stablecoins to the mass market. The partnership aims to set the tone for enterprise adoption of digital assets.

Targeting Sony’s Entertainment Ecosystem

Sony Group expects U.S. gaming and anime users to adopt the stablecoin for payments. The move is designed to reduce credit card transaction fees for customers purchasing Sony games, streaming content, and anime.

The United States represents a major market for Sony. In the fiscal year that ended in March 2025, the U.S. accounted for more than 30% of Sony’s external revenue.

Sony Financial Group, which owns Sony Bank, recently listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following its spin-off. The digital currency project remains part of Sony Group’s broader business plans.

U.S. Stablecoin Market Growth

The U.S. stablecoin market has grown to approximately $260 billion in market capitalization. USDT and USDC are the two leading stablecoins driving this growth.

The regulatory environment in the United States is evolving. The GENIUS Act, signed by President Donald Trump, establishes a framework for stablecoin regulation in the country.

The legislation aims to provide clearer guidelines for issuers and increase user confidence. This regulatory clarity creates an opening for Sony Bank to enter the digital currency market.

Bastion recently completed a strategic funding round supported by Sony Innovation Fund, Coinbase Ventures, a16z crypto, Samsung NEXT, and Hashed. The investment reflects growing interest in enterprise-grade crypto solutions.

The partnership between Sony Bank and Bastion positions both companies to serve the enterprise digital asset market. Sony Bank plans to use regulated issuance frameworks, compliance-led infrastructure, and transparent reserve structures for its stablecoin operation.

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