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Soneium, the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs, is preparing to launch its native $SONEIUM token as part of a broader expansion into tokenized intellectual property, entertainment royalties, and blockchain-based investment products. The initiative marks a shift for Soneium from blockchain infrastructure toward an entertainment-focused economy where creators, studios, fans, and investors can participate in the commercial value of intellectual property.

The network, developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture between Sony Group and blockchain infrastructure company Startale Group, plans to introduce tokenized entertainment assets spanning Japanese character franchises, K-pop concert royalties, and music catalog investments. The expansion comes as blockchain technology increasingly finds applications beyond cryptocurrencies, with tokenization opening new possibilities for financing and distributing revenue from traditionally illiquid assets.

Soneium Moves Into Tokenized Entertainment Assets

Central to the strategy is a new framework called Tokenized IP, which allows intellectual property owners to represent the economic value of creative works onchain. The model is designed to help creators raise capital directly from supporters while allowing fans and investors to participate in the commercial growth of entertainment properties. Soneium’s first initiative involves Moriusa, a Japanese character franchise owned by Super State Holdings, a Tokyo-based entertainment company.

Through tokenization, supporters can participate in the franchise’s expansion into merchandise, animated productions, and licensing opportunities, with potential revenue-sharing arrangements built into blockchain-based agreements. The network is also partnering with K-pop intellectual property company DayOneDream to explore tokenizing concert business royalties from established K-pop artists.

The partnership aims to give participants exposure to revenue generated by live entertainment, an investment category traditionally accessible through private commercial arrangements. Beyond individual entertainment properties, Soneium plans to introduce two additional investment products: IP Vault, offering indirect exposure to opportunities such as music catalog funds, and IP Bond, a proposed bond product backed by entertainment businesses. The company has not disclosed specific investment terms, expected returns, or launch dates for these products.

Native $SONEIUM Token to Support Ecosystem Expansion

Alongside its entertainment initiatives, Soneium plans to introduce $SONEIUM, a native ecosystem token intended to connect creators, developers, intellectual property owners, and users within its growing network. The token is designed to serve as an economic coordination mechanism, aligning participants with the broader development and adoption of Soneium’s entertainment ecosystem. However, the project has not yet disclosed the token’s full utility, tokenomics, supply, or distribution structure.

Further details about the token generation event will be announced at a later date. Soneium currently hosts more than 250 applications spanning music, gaming, anime, film, digital collectibles, and fan experiences. Its planned Soneium Portal will serve as a centralized entry point for discovering tokenized entertainment assets, participating in initial offerings, and eventually accessing fan engagement opportunities and royalty distributions. The Startale App will complement the platform by providing users with a way to manage digital assets and access applications across the ecosystem.

Building Intellectual Property Infrastructure for the AI Era

Another component of Soneium’s expansion focuses on how intellectual property is managed as artificial intelligence transforms content creation and distribution. The network is developing an Onchain IP Architecture designed to make licensing agreements, ownership relationships, and royalty payments programmable through blockchain infrastructure. The system includes an IP Registry for recording creative assets, an IP Graph for tracking relationships between original and derivative works, and an IP Execution Layer for managing licensing and revenue distribution. The approach could allow creators to establish predefined terms governing how their work is reused, adapted, or commercially exploited, including by AI-powered applications.

For example, when a character appears across games, merchandise, animation, and other formats, programmable agreements could help distribute revenue among the relevant rights holders and participants. Soneium also plans to support ERC-8432, a proposed Ethereum standard for registering intellectual property and publishing machine-readable licensing terms. The proposed standard aims to enable software applications and autonomous AI agents to discover creative works, verify licensing conditions and execute agreements without relying on a single proprietary platform.  Although the infrastructure could simplify certain licensing processes, its effectiveness will depend on adoption by rights holders, developers and entertainment businesses, as well as how onchain records correspond to legally enforceable intellectual property rights.

Sony’s Blockchain Initiative Expands Beyond Infrastructure

Soneium’s latest strategy reflects a broader effort to connect blockchain technology with established entertainment industries, particularly in Japan, where character franchises, anime, gaming and music represent significant intellectual property markets. Rather than focusing exclusively on digital collectibles, the network is attempting to establish financial infrastructure around the ownership, funding, and commercialization of creative assets. The approach also introduces potential questions around investor protections, revenue entitlements, and the regulatory treatment of entertainment-linked tokens, particularly where participants are offered exposure to commercial earnings.

“Entertainment starts with creators. Today, Soneium enters a new stage built to stand behind them,” said Yuji Kumagai, Head of Soneium Protocol. “We will help them fund their next work at a new scale, try new forms of expression and find fresh ways to connect with fans.”

With its planned native token, initial IP partnerships and proposed royalty-based investment products, Soneium is positioning itself at the intersection of blockchain finance and entertainment. The next test will be whether tokenized intellectual property can attract sustained participation from creators, rights holders and investors beyond the cryptocurrency market.

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has added support for NEXO, the native token of digital asset wealth platform Nexo, introducing three trading pairs and expanding access to the token through one of the industry’s longest-running exchanges.

The listing went live on October 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM UTC, enabling users to trade NEXO against the U.S. dollar, Tether’s USDT, and Circle’s USDC.

The token is available through both Kraken and Kraken Pro, giving retail and professional traders another established platform through which to access the asset.

For Nexo, the listing represents an expansion of the market infrastructure supporting its native token, which has been part of the company’s digital asset ecosystem since 2018.

While the announcement centers on exchange availability, it also brings renewed attention to the token’s role within Nexo’s loyalty program, where eligible holders can receive benefits linked to the company’s financial services.

NEXO Gains Access to Kraken’s Trading Infrastructure

The introduction of NEXO/USD, NEXO/USDT, and NEXO/USDC pairs allows traders to choose between direct dollar trading and stablecoin-based markets.

These options can be particularly relevant to users who maintain balances in different currencies or prefer to execute trades using stablecoins rather than fiat.

The availability of NEXO on Kraken Pro also provides an additional trading option for more experienced market participants who use professional trading interfaces.

For existing NEXO holders, the listing creates another venue for buying and selling the token. For users who have not previously held NEXO, it offers a way to access the asset through Kraken’s established exchange infrastructure.

“Kraken adds another established venue for our native NEXO Token and brings it to a broad base of consumer and professional traders. Clients now have yet another established place to trade NEXO, and we are proud to have our token on one of the most respected exchanges in the digital assets space.”

—Yasen Yankov, Chief Product Officer at Nexo.

The announcement did not include projections for trading volumes or liquidity following the listing.

What Is the NEXO Token and How Does It Work?

NEXO launched in 2018 as the native token of Nexo, a platform focused on digital asset wealth services.

Rather than functioning solely as a tradable cryptocurrency, the token is integrated into Nexo’s loyalty program, which offers benefits to eligible customers who hold it.

Among the available benefits are reduced borrowing rates and fee-free transfers, alongside other advantages offered through the platform.

This gives NEXO a role beyond secondary-market trading, as the token is connected to the services available within Nexo’s ecosystem.

The distinction is important because the token’s use within Nexo and its availability on external exchanges serve different purposes.

Within Nexo, holding the token can provide access to loyalty benefits. On Kraken, the listing enables market participants to trade the token through an additional venue.

The new exchange support does not introduce changes to the loyalty program or announce new token functionality. Instead, it expands the options available to those seeking to acquire or trade NEXO.

Why Exchange Availability Matters for Utility Tokens

For cryptocurrencies associated with established platforms, access through major exchanges can be an important part of their broader market presence.

A token may have utility within a particular ecosystem, but external trading venues allow users to access it independently of the platform where those benefits are offered.

In NEXO’s case, the Kraken listing adds another route for market participants to acquire or sell the token while maintaining its existing function within Nexo’s loyalty program.

The inclusion of both fiat and stablecoin trading pairs also accommodates different approaches to cryptocurrency trading.

Dollar-based markets can appeal to users who prefer trading directly against fiat currencies, while stablecoin pairs can provide alternatives for traders already active in digital asset markets.

However, exchange listings do not necessarily translate into higher liquidity or sustained increases in demand. Those outcomes depend on factors including trading activity, market conditions, and investor interest.

Nexo Continues to Broaden Token Accessibility

The latest listing adds another established exchange to the trading infrastructure surrounding NEXO.

For Nexo, the announcement reflects a focus on making its native token available through a wider range of platforms while retaining its existing utility within the company’s digital asset services.

The move also provides Kraken users with access to a token connected to a loyalty program that offers benefits such as reduced borrowing rates and fee-free transfers.

With trading now operational across NEXO/USD, NEXO/USDT, and NEXO/USDC, the immediate development is an expansion in where the token can be traded.

Whether the listing leads to increased trading activity or broader adoption of the token remains to be seen, but it establishes another market access point for NEXO holders and prospective buyers.

Two apps sit side by side on a phone in Brussels. One sells crypto-assets, the other takes a sports bet. Both promise a quick reward and hide risks. Yet MiCA regulation and Belgian gambling regulation reach opposite conclusions on how far the state should intervene. That gap makes them a useful test case for crypto consumer protection.

MiCA’s Approach to Crypto-Asset Oversight

Adopted by the EU in 2023, the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) sets common rules for the crypto market. Under this EU crypto regulation, crypto-asset service providers must obtain authorization and disclose key product details, volatility risks, and user rights.

MiCA prioritizes transparency and crypto consumer protection, but sets no MiCA investment limits for individuals. Investors remain free to decide how much to risk, provided they receive the required information.

No Ceilings on Financial Exposure

Under MiCA, regulators monitor compliance and can act against market manipulation or misconduct. However, they do not set individual investment caps. Investors can risk €10 or several thousand euros without facing regulator-imposed limits. Enforcement focuses on fair marketing and fraud prevention rather than preventing personal financial losses.

This approach to crypto consumer protection leaves much of the risk management to investors. MiCA requires clear information but does not restrict how much individuals choose to invest.

Accountability and Supervision

MiCA requires crypto providers to prove they can manage technical risks, customer complaints, and liquidity issues. Regulators can investigate misconduct and suspend or revoke licenses when serious threats arise. This EU crypto regulation sets minimum standards without restricting everyday transactions or individual investment choices.

Gambling Regulation in Belgium: Tight Controls and Active Intervention

Belgium takes a stricter approach to gambling than MiCA does to crypto-assets. While EU crypto regulation focuses on transparency and provider oversight, Belgium imposes fixed betting limits, mandatory checks, and ongoing supervision to strengthen gambling consumer protection and prevent problem gambling.

On a platform such as madisoncasino.be, players may see a “Weekly deposit limit reached” message once they hit their deposit cap. This restriction reflects Belgium’s legal requirements for gambling operators. Unlike MiCA, which sets no MiCA investment limits for individual investors, Belgian law places direct limits on gambling deposits to reduce financial risks and protect vulnerable players.

The €200 Weekly Deposit Cap

The standard weekly deposit limit in Belgium is €200 per account. Players who want to raise it must undergo a financial check involving the Gaming Commission and the National Bank. The review takes three working days and includes a check for listed debts. These safeguards aim to reduce gambling-related harm and protect vulnerable players.

Rigorous Oversight and Interventions

Belgian gambling regulation requires operators such as madisoncasino.be to enforce deposit limits, monitor suspicious activity, and support self-exclusion programs. They must also cooperate with regulatory checks and external audits.

These measures strengthen gambling consumer protection through ongoing supervision. Requests to raise deposit limits face official review rather than automatic approval, helping authorities identify risks before they escalate.

Comparative Analysis: Intervention Versus Autonomy

The main difference between MiCA and gambling regulation lies in how each system protects consumers. Belgian gambling regulation sets deposit limits and requires regular checks, while MiCA focuses on transparency and lets investors decide how much to risk. Both aim to reduce harm, but their rules differ:

• Belgium enforces deposit caps and reviews requests to raise them.
• MiCA requires clear information but sets no individual investment limits.
• Gambling operators face regular checks and ongoing supervision.
• Crypto providers are monitored for misconduct and market threats rather than individual investment losses.

Protective Friction and Its Effects

In Belgium, deposit limits, waiting periods, and financial checks help curb impulsive betting and prevent gambling-related harm. These measures provide extra safeguards for players vulnerable to gambling problems.

On the other hand, the MiCA regulation focuses on transparency rather than restricting investment amounts. Unless providers break the rules, investors can make repeated high-risk transactions without specific limits on their exposure.

Paternalism and Autonomy: Contrasting Philosophies

The two systems reflect different views of personal freedom and state intervention. In Belgium, strict deposit limits aim to prevent gambling-related harm when emotions affect spending decisions. MiCA takes a different approach, giving informed investors greater freedom to manage their own financial risks. This contrast highlights the balance between liberty and responsibility in gambling and financial markets.

FAQ

What Consumer Risks Does MiCA Cover?

MiCA addresses fraud, misleading information, and market manipulation. It requires provider authorization and clear risk disclosures but sets no individual investment limits.

Why Does Belgian Gambling Regulation Impose Strict Deposit Caps?

Belgian gambling regulation sets deposit caps to curb excessive betting and reduce gambling-related harm. These limits offer extra protection to vulnerable players.

Do European Crypto Exchanges Report User Losses to Regulators?

MiCA focuses on transparency and compliance, not individual loss reporting. Its rules target provider misconduct and market risks.

How Can Belgian Gamblers Request a Higher Deposit Limit?

Raising the Belgian gambling deposit limit requires financial checks involving the Gaming Commission and the National Bank. The review typically takes three working days.

Could Future Regulation Combine Elements From Both Models?

Future rules could combine MiCA’s transparency requirements with gambling safeguards. Deposit limits and clearer risk warnings could strengthen consumer protection in both sectors.

Crypto event markets allow investors to ask specific questions about digital assets and get prices for those questions. People don’t need to purchase and hold Bitcoin, for example, and wonder if it’s going to go up in price. They can instead take a position on the question, “Will the SEC approve a Bitcoin ETF before X date?”

With event markets, ownership of the underlying asset is irrelevant. In predicting the outcome of an event, a trader may have bought a contract about an Ethereum upgrade, but that doesn’t give them ETH. A trader may have taken a position on a contract about the completion of a DeFi project, but that doesn’t mean they also own that project.

It’s not uncommon for trader expectations to be the opposite of what the news says. A quote may show an upgrade is complete, but if a contract is NOT settled in the trader’s favor, then it doesn’t mean the upgrade actually happened. Trader expectations are not necessarily correct.

How Crypto Event Contracts Establish Expectations and Prices

Binary yes/no contracts, which make up the large majority of events markets, settle at 1/0. A yes share priced at $0.60 means that, based on the traders’ expectations, there’s a ~60% chance that share will settle at $1. If it’s a no share, it will settle at $0.

Readers can use this framework to examine the question, deadline, and resolution criteria in contracts listed on PUBS.com prediction markets. A contract could pose the question, “Will the ETF receive approval by (the deadline)?” In this case, the definition of approval could vary. An announcement, an approved exchange rule change, and the start of trading could be different milestones.

Consider a hypothetical purchase of 100 Yes shares at $0.60 each. The initial cost is $60 before fees. If the condition is met, each share pays $100. The buyer makes a $40 profit before fees. If the condition is not met, each share pays nothing, and the buyer loses the $0.60.

 Prices can change before the settlement. Shares can be bought and sold on the open market; for example, if the share price goes up to $0.75, that share can be sold for $0.75, before fees, for a potential gain of $0.15, but could also be sold for a loss if the share price goes down.

Bid and asks on an order book dictate the spread. In a prediction market, displayed probability could be different from the price used for execution.

Decisions About ETFs, Network Upgrades, and Price Targets

Decisions markets about ETFs require close reading of regulatory milestones. In the case of a U.S. contract, the traders should check official SEC filings and orders instead of just relying on social media. The contract should name the relevant product, decision, authority, and deadline. If a decision is postponed, an application remains active, and a deadline-contingent contract would still settle.

Network upgrades provide different conditions. The developers may announce a target date and write software. They might then activate a test network and subsequently make upgrades to the main network. Each of these events is significant. Contracts should stipulate which milestone is relevant and how delays or partial deployments affect settlement.

The same principles above apply to Price Target markets. The phrase “Bitcoin ends at $100,000” is distinct from “Bitcoin hits $100,000”. In the former case, a very brief spike may be significant, while in the latter case, a very brief spike would not be. Check the named exchange or index, observation window, time zone, and treatment of missing or abnormal price data.

These terms may be connected to credible evidence and research. Regulatory documents may illuminate ETF developments, and announcements may be made about upgrades. The specified price feed may evidence the level of the market. Confirm and distinguish actual events from speculation, and in the process, determine whether you think the price is correct.

Review the liquidity, fees, maximum loss, and resolution process for a given position before you enter it. Thin markets make buying or selling expensive. Disputed outcomes may make the result of a trade challengeable and/or delay the settlement of a trade. Determine who will determine the result, what evidence they will consider, and whether there is a challenge process.

Confirm eligibility and withdrawal conditions before depositing. Just because you can see a market does not mean you can trade it from your current location or account.

Crypto event markets allow you to trade forecasts. To evaluate a position, you need to consider the rules and determine what is a reasonable estimate of the costs. Each position is subject to some degree of uncertainty until it is sold or the market resolves.

For years, banks have fought fraud by asking customers to prove who they are. With AI now able to fake faces, voices and documents convincingly, a more basic question is moving to the front: is there a real person on the other end at all?

That question sits at the center of World ID for banking and finance, unveiled on Monday at Money20/20 by World co-founder Alex Blania. The offering is pitched less as an identity product and more as a fraud control, aimed at the moments where a bank is most exposed: large transfers, new accounts and account recovery.

The pressure on the industry is growing. In 2024, the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network warned that criminals were using deepfake photos and videos to get past checks on new account applications. The same year, an employee at engineering firm Arup wired about $25.6 million after a video call in which every other participant was a deepfake. Deloitte projects AI-enabled fraud losses in the U.S. could reach $40 billion by 2027, more than triple the 2023 estimate of $12.3 billion.

World’s approach is to stop trying to detect fakes and instead require proof of a verified human. A customer completes a one-time scan at World’s Orb device to obtain a Proof of Human, then stores it in the World ID app. From there, a bank can ask for that proof at sensitive points, such as approving an ACH or wire transfer, or regaining access to an account, a common entry point for account takeover. A separate Proof of Presence, done with a phone selfie, confirms the person is live in the moment.

The model also addresses a compliance headache. Banks must know more about their customers, but every document they collect becomes data they have to secure. World says institutions receive cryptographic proofs rather than the underlying information, so a bank can confirm a client’s age or nationality through a Proof of Attributes without storing a passport scan.

The next pressure point is AI agents. As consumers begin handing financial tasks to automated assistants, banks will need to tell an agent working for a real customer apart from anonymous bot traffic. World’s AgentKit, currently in beta, lets a person delegate their Proofs to an agent, which can then show a bank it is acting for a verified human without revealing who that person is. World argues this could become standard practice for agent-driven transactions that fall under consumer protection rules.

The same logic extends to internal risk. Through World ID for Zoom, a bank can require employees or counterparties to verify before joining a high-stakes call, with a Human Badge shown on screen once confirmed.

“World ID for banking and finance offers a suite of tools to add an AI-safe trust layer across their internal and external systems,” said Sandro Herbig, president of Tools for Humanity, which builds technology for World.

Bain Capital, OpenExchange and Outtake are early design partners. Adoption may depend on how many customers are willing to visit an Orb: World says more than 18 million people hold a Proof of Human so far, a fraction of the customer base at any large bank. To widen access, the company has placed Orbs at the New York Stock Exchange and is offering them for installation at corporate offices.