SoundCloud has acquired the assets of Nina Protocol, a blockchain-based independent music platform that ceased operations in May. The deal grants SoundCloud access to Nina’s editorial archive and genre map, while artists who join SoundCloud’s creator ecosystem can migrate their existing catalogues.
Participating artists will gain access to tools for music distribution, direct fan monetisation, audience development, fan engagement, and streaming revenue, SoundCloud said.
Leadership perspectives
“Nina has always been about empowering independent artists and documenting the communities that drive music forward,” said Mike Pollard, Nina Protocol’s chief executive and co-founder. “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.”
Eliah Seton, SoundCloud’s chief executive, said the acquisition underscores the company’s commitment to 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.”
Nina’s blockchain roots and financial struggles
Founded in 2021 by Jack Pollard, Mike Pollard and Eric Farber, Nina Protocol operated as a web3-based streaming service and music marketplace built on the Solana and Arweave blockchains. It allowed artists to upload work while retaining ownership and sales revenue, positioning itself as an alternative to major streaming platforms.
However, the platform faced financial headwinds. A report published earlier this month found that approximately $50,000 had been spent on the platform over its lifetime, while 77% of releases remained uncollected. A migration to a new on-chain protocol in 2025 further complicated operations, resulting in the removal of about 6,500 early releases from the catalogue; those works were left on Solana and became unavailable for purchase.
New home for artists and archive
Nina shut down in May, but the acquisition by SoundCloud offers a path for its platform elements and editorial archive to be preserved within a larger service. For Nina’s artists, access to SoundCloud’s established creator infrastructure could provide a route to continue distributing music and developing audiences after the closure.
