Home / Technology / SoundCloud Acquires Nina Protocol, Boosting Artist Independence
SoundCloud Acquires Nina Protocol, Boosting Artist Independence
23 Jul
Summary
- SoundCloud acquired Nina Protocol, a platform for artists selling music directly.
- The deal aims to expand SoundCloud's offerings for independent artists.
- SoundCloud will migrate Nina artists and offer them a free subscription.
SoundCloud has acquired Nina Protocol, a decentralized music platform that allowed independent artists to sell their music directly to fans while keeping 100% of their earnings. This acquisition marks SoundCloud's first since 2022 and signifies an expansion beyond music hosting into a comprehensive platform for independent creators.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and it remains uncertain if Nina's team will join SoundCloud. Nina Protocol, founded in 2021, operated on the Solana blockchain for efficient transactions and used Arweave for decentralized storage.
Following Nina Protocol's announcement in February 2026 that it would cease operations due to an unsustainable business model, SoundCloud is now providing a migration tool for Nina's artists. These artists will also receive a complimentary SoundCloud Artist subscription through the end of 2026, gaining access to monetization and audience growth tools.
