Sony's newly launched layer-2 blockchain, Soneium, is facing criticism after reports emerged that it blacklisted several meme coins on its launch day.
Sony's newly launched layer-2 blockchain, Soneium, is facing criticism after reports emerged that it blacklisted several meme coins on its launch day, allegedly due to intellectual property rights violations.
Users expressed frustration on social media, claiming they were unable to trade or access these tokens on the network.
The blacklisted tokens reportedly include those that mimic or utilize branding protected by Sony or Soneium, leading to restrictions on their use within the network. Individuals attempting to access these meme coins encountered forbidden alerts on Soneium’s official block explorer.
The controversy escalated when Alon, the pseudonymous founder of meme coin platform Pump.fun, criticized Soneium for what he termed “actively blacklisting meme coins they don’t like,” suggesting this action negatively impacted user investments.
Another affected project, the meme coin “Aibo,” named after Sony’s robotic dogs, has been valued at approximately $700,000. Its developers are reportedly collaborating with Soneium to resolve the issue and are considering changes to their branding.
In response to the backlash, Soneium's developers highlighted their commitment to enforcing intellectual property rights while maintaining the core values of Web3, which include openness and innovation.
They stated that their documentation outlines measures to combat malicious activities and protect creators and fans alike.
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