SoundCloud acquires independent music platform Nina Protocol

SoundCloud has acquired independent music platform Nina Protocol. 

In a statement shared via its website yesterday (July 22), SoundCloud said that the move will bring together "two platforms united by a shared mission to champion independent artists and scenes by creating more sustainable ways for them to earn from their art".

Established in 2021, Nina Protocol allows artists to upload and distribute their music directly to fans via blockchain, giving them the ability to keep both ownership and sales of their music with the platform funding itself via a $1 charge on each purchase.

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In May, Nina Protocol announced that it would be "winding down" operations, citing a lack of revenue that would give it "a path to sustainability at its current size."

As part of the acquisition, SoundCloud will now have access to Nina Protocol's editorial archive and genre map, "preserving its rich collection of music journalism, artist features, and cultural commentary while creating new opportunities for discovery."

Nina Protocol will migrate to SoundCloud, allowing artists to carry over their followers, music, content, and creative work to the platform. According to its statement, SoundCloud insists that artists will be able to continue selling directly to fans, keeping 100% of their royalties via its Fan Support, on-demand vinyl and distribution services.

In a statement shared via Instagram, Nina Protocol said: "After speaking with the SoundCloud team and discussing their history and future plans for supporting direct fan-to-artist monetisation and scene-driven context, we felt there was a natural continuation between their mission and ours: helping independent artists create on their own terms."

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"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," Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud says. "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," he continues. "Together, we’ll help more independent artists build deeper relationships with fans, unlock new ways to earn, and access the tools they need to grow sustainable careers on their own terms.”

Nina Protocol's artists will be able to claim five months of free Artist Pro Subscription when migrating their profiles. Click here for more information.

You can read Nina Protocol's full statement below.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, get in touch with her here.