SoundCloud Acquires Nina Protocol to Expand Artist Tools
SoundCloud acquires Nina Protocol, gaining its editorial archive and genre map to support independent artists after the Web3 platform's shutdown.
SoundCloud Acquires Nina Protocol to Expand Artist Tools
SoundCloud has acquired the assets of Nina Protocol, a decentralized music platform that ceased operations earlier this year. The move grants the mainstream audio streaming service access to Nina’s editorial archive and a proprietary genre map, assets the company plans to use to improve music discovery for emerging creators. For independent musicians who relied on Nina, the acquisition offers an immediate migration path and temporary access to premium monetization tools. However, the deal also underscores a persistent reality in the music technology sector: standalone Web3 platforms continue to struggle with long-term viability, even when their core value proposition resonates with creators. By absorbing Nina’s curated infrastructure, SoundCloud is making a calculated move to strengthen its position as a comprehensive ecosystem for independent artists, rather than just a passive hosting provider. What Happened SoundCloud announced the acquisition on Wednesday, though financial terms of t…