Performances
RD Popularity Index
RD Growth Index
Comparison
Fundraising
Sub Organizations
Follow Updates
Follow Lists
People
About Startale Labs
Startale Labs is a Web3 infrastructure developer focused on building the foundational layers for blockchain-based finance and applications. Its core business spans three areas: public blockchain infrastructure (such as the Soneium network developed with Sony), stablecoin solutions (including JPYSC and USDSC), and a consumer-facing app that integrates payments, rewards, and asset management.
The company addresses a key market pain point: the fragmentation of digital assets and stablecoins across isolated platforms, which limits usability and liquidity. Startale advocates for interoperable, regulated infrastructure that allows compliant assets to move freely across networks, rather than being locked in closed ecosystems. It also highlights the issue of excessive taxation on crypto activities in Japan, which drives liquidity overseas, and pushes for fairer rules on staking and DeFi yields.
In the past six months (February to August 2026), Startale has expanded internationally. It was selected for the Hub71+ Digital Assets program in Abu Dhabi, establishing operations in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to access clearer regulations and broader regional partnerships. The company also launched the Onchain Finance Kit (OFK) and the Startale Card, a self-custodial Visa card that lets users spend Soneium assets at over 150 million merchants worldwide. These moves aim to bridge traditional finance with onchain infrastructure, making digital asset usage more practical for both institutions and everyday consumers.
Startale Labs was founded in January 2023 with a focus on Web3 infrastructure. In June 2023, the company announced a capital alliance and joint venture with Sony Network Communications, laying the groundwork for the future Soneium blockchain.
In February 2024, Startale raised an additional $3.5 million from UOB Venture Management and Samsung Next, bringing its seed round to $7 million. These funds supported the development of Startale Web3 Cloud and the Soneium ecosystem.
In August 2024, Soneium's testnet went live, followed by the mainnet launch on January 14, 2025. Within months, the network recorded over 14 million unique addresses and 47 million transactions, marking significant early adoption.
In January 2025, Startale established Startale Ventures, an investment division dedicated to accelerating projects within the Soneium and Astar ecosystems. This move signaled a strategic shift from pure infrastructure development to ecosystem growth and investment.
CEO Sota Watanabe positioned Soneium as a universal creation platform for creative IP, leveraging Sony's eight years of Web3 exploration. The long-term vision is to bridge Web2 and Web3, making blockchain accessible to mainstream users through Sony's extensive network.
Startale Labs was founded by Sota Watanabe, who serves as CEO. He is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree (2022) and was named one of Newsweek's '100 Most Respected Japanese in the World' (2023).
Maarten Henskens serves as COO, and Shaun Wang serves as CTO of Protocol Engineering. Both are also contributors to Astar Network and Soneium.