# Sota Watanabe

> Sota Watanabe is the founder and CEO of Startale Group, a Singapore-based Web3 infrastructure company backed by Sony and SBI. He is the founder of Astar Network, one of Japan's most recognized Layer-1 blockchains, and a central figure in Japan's push to bring tokenized stocks, JPY stablecoins, and onchain finance into the mainstream.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Startale Group
- **Organizations:** Startale Group, Astar Network, Shiden Network, Stake Technologies, Next Web Capital, Japan Blockchain Association
- **From:** Kawasaki, Japan
- **Nationality:** Japanese
- **Education:** Bachelor's, Economics, Keio University, Certificate, International Business Program, San Francisco State University / American Language Institute
- **Known for:** Founded Astar Network, one of Japan's leading Layer-1 blockchains, Raised $63M Series A for Startale Group from SBI Group and Sony Innovation Fund, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2022)

## Career timeline

- **1995** — Born in Kawasaki, Japan
- **2018** — Interned at Chronicled, a blockchain startup in San Francisco; blockchain researcher at the University of Tokyo
- **2019** — Founded Stake Technologies and Astar Network (originally Plasm Network)
- **2022** — Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia; Astar wins Product of the Year from Japan Blockchain Association
- **2023** — Named among Newsweek's '100 Most Respected Japanese in the World'; Sony invests $3.5M in Startale Labs
- **2024** — Startale launches Soneium joint venture with Sony
- **2026-03** — Closed $63M Series A with $50M from SBI Group and $13M from Sony Innovation Fund

## Achievements

- Founded Astar Network, one of Japan's leading Layer-1 blockchains
- Raised $63M Series A for Startale Group from SBI Group and Sony Innovation Fund
- Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2022)
- Newsweek's 100 Most Respected Japanese in the World (2023)
- Task force member on the Japanese government's Trusted Web Promotion Council
- Director at the Japan Blockchain Association
- Advisor to GMO Web3, Dentsu, and Marui

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Closed $63M Series A: $50M from SBI Group and $13M from Sony Innovation Fund.
- **2026-03** — Announced plans to scale the Strium network for tokenized securities and RWA trading, expand JPYSC and USDSC stablecoins, and develop SuperApp.

## Links

- Website: https://startale.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sota-watanabe-b962b3110/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/WatanabeSota
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SotaWatanabe0426/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sota-watanabe
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-08