SoundCloud acquires indie-focused web3 platform Nina Protocol

The acquisition gives SoundCloud access to Nina's editorial archive and genre map, while artists who opt into SoundCloud's creator ecosystem will have the opportunity to transfer their music catalogues to the platform.

SoundCloud said participating artists will be able to access tools for music distribution, direct fan monetisation, audience development, fan engagement and streaming revenue.

“Nina has always been about empowering independent artists and documenting the communities that drive music forward,” Nina Protocol’s chief executive and co-founder Mike Pollard said. “SoundCloud built that foundation: without SoundCloud, there wouldn’t be Nina. As we considered the future of the platform, we wanted to ensure our artists and editorial work found a home that shared and actively practiced those values. SoundCloud was the natural choice.”

SoundCloud chief executive Eliah Seton said the acquisition reflected the company's focus on independent artists and emerging music communities.

“As the platform where millions of artists begin their journey, we’ve always believed that the next movements in music emerge from communities long before they reach the mainstream,” Seton said. “That belief is deeply aligned with the mission Nina has championed from the very beginning. They built an incredible platform by putting independent artists, scenes, and communities first, and our priority is to honour what they’ve created while carrying that mission forward.”

Founded in 2021 by Jack Callahan, Pollard and Eric Farber, Nina Protocol operated as a web3-based streaming service and music marketplace. It initially focused on music distribution, allowing artists to upload their work through blockchain technology while retaining ownership and sales revenue.

The platform was built on the Solana and Arweave blockchains and was positioned as an alternative to major streaming services. However, its financial performance appeared to struggle. A report published earlier this month on Nina's data found that about $50 000 had been spent on the platform over its lifetime, while approximately 77% of releases remained uncollected.

The platform also faced complications following its migration to a new on-chain protocol in 2025. About 6 500 early releases were reportedly removed from the catalogue and left on Solana, making them unavailable for purchase.

Nina shut down in May, but the acquisition by SoundCloud could give elements of its platform and archive a new home within a larger music service.

The deal also highlights the continuing evolution of digital music platforms as companies explore alternative models for artist ownership, fan engagement and streaming revenue. For Nina's artists, access to SoundCloud’s established creator infrastructure could provide a route to continue distributing their music and developing audiences beyond the platform’s closure.