In a recent interview at the BUIDL Asia conference in Seoul, Sota Watanabe, the founder of Astar Network, emphasized the significance of the upcoming months in the partnership between Astar Network and Sony. The collaboration between the two entities, initiated last year, holds the promise of bringing about "drastic changes" in the trajectory of the blockchain network, Watanabe stated in a press release.

Sony's Own Blockchain

Sony Network Communications, a division of the conglomerate, joined forces with Startale Labs, the company behind Astar Network, with a shared vision of creating Sony's own blockchain network. Watanabe described this endeavor as "very intensive and very important," emphasizing the focus on achieving mass adoption of blockchain technology.

"Our focus is going to be mass adoption," stated Watanabe, underscoring Astar's objective of demonstrating the utility of web3 to the broader public. Leveraging Sony's extensive touchpoints, the aim is to onboard individuals beyond the realm of web3 into the blockchain space.

Sony, renowned for its PlayStation gaming platform, has already made strides in the blockchain arena by patenting the concept of "super-fungible tokens" for NFT transfers within gaming ecosystems. However, Watanabe clarified that the forthcoming blockchain network will not be limited to gaming or NFTs, indicating a broader scope of application.

Regarding the impact of Japan's new stablecoin regulations on Astar projects, Watanabe remained tight-lipped about specifics but hinted at ongoing discussions with various banks and companies. He assured that forthcoming announcements in the coming months would provide clarity on the situation.

More About Astar Network?

Astar Network, known for its smart contract platform supporting both EVM and WebAssembly environments, boasts prior collaborations with major conglomerates in Japan, including Toyota, NTT Docomo, and SoftBank.

In another recent development, the network launched a zkEVM network based on Polygon’s AggLayer, facilitating cross-chain transactions between Astar and Polygon through shared liquidity. Watanabe anticipates the growing impact of AggLayer as additional partners embrace this chain-abstracting solution.

Emphasizing the importance of marketing blockchain technology, Watanabe highlighted the need to communicate its positive aspects to politicians and the public. He stressed that while technology holds transformative potential, effective marketing and regulatory engagement are crucial in fostering broader acceptance of web3 technology.

As Astar Network navigates its pivotal partnership with Sony and endeavors to drive mass adoption of blockchain, Watanabe's strategic approach underscores the importance of both technological innovation and effective communication in shaping the future of web3.