Sony-backed Soneium introduced an AI licensing system, entertainment investments, and plans for a native cryptocurrency token on October 26. The announcement comes as the blockchain network faces significant financial challenges, with total value locked (TVL) falling 95% from $203 million in May 2025 to approximately $9.4 million.
Financial Decline
Deposits in Soneium's decentralized finance applications have contracted dramatically. Four major applications—Kyo Finance, Sonex, Untitled Bank, and Sake Finance—collectively held around $159 million at their peak but now hold roughly $1.5 million. The network processed 163,691 transactions in 24 hours but generated just $118 in revenue.
Licensing Framework and Token Plans
Soneium, developed with Japanese crypto firm Startale, proposes a system enabling creators to register work on blockchain so AI programs can automatically check licensing conditions and arrange payments. The platform plans to support ERC-8432, a proposed Ethereum standard for machine-readable licensing.
Additional initiatives include tokenized investments in the Moriusa character franchise and a partnership with K-pop company DayOneDream to offer investments linked to concert royalties. Soneium Protocol Head Yuji Kumagai stated: "We will help them fund their next work at a new scale."
The $SONEIUM token has no confirmed launch date, and no AI company has been named as committed to adopting the proposed licensing system.
Broader Context
Sony Music has pursued legal action against AI companies over content usage. In July, the company filed a lawsuit against AI music generator Udio, alleging infringement involving more than 30,000 recordings with potential statutory damages exceeding $4.5 billion. Universal Music and Warner Music have already reached licensing agreements with Udio without blockchain involvement.
The viability of Soneium's recovery depends on whether entertainment companies and AI developers will adopt the technology at scale.
