Full Breakdown
SoundCloud Acquires Defunct Web3 Music Platform Nina Protocol
7/23/2026, 9:04:07 PM
Core Event: Acquisition Overview
SoundCloud announced on July 22 that it had acquired the assets of Nina Protocol, a blockchain-based music marketplace that announced its shutdown earlier in the year. The deal transfers Nina’s editorial archive, genre-map discovery tool, and offers artists a migration path to SoundCloud’s creator ecosystem. Financial terms were not disclosed. Migrating artists will receive a complimentary five-month trial of SoundCloud’s Artist Pro subscription.
Background & Context: Nina Protocol’s Rise and Decline
Founded in 2021 in New York by Jack Callahan, Mike Pollard, and Eric Farber, Nina operated on the Solana blockchain, giving artists direct-to-fan sales and full royalty ownership. It was often compared to Bandcamp, and artists such as ML Buch, Yung Lean, and Surgeon released music through the platform, while labels like Warp Records and Hyperdub used its custom hubs.
In May 2026 Nina announced a phased wind-down due to monetisation challenges, planning to cease operations through July. Reports differ on the exact shutdown date: Resident Advisor cited July 15, while Music Business Worldwide noted July 22.
Timeline
- May 28 2026 – Nina announced its wind-down plan.
- July 6 2026 – Components analysis showed total spend of roughly $50,000 and that about 77 % of its nearly 37,000 listings were uncollected.
- July 15 2026 – Resident Advisor reported the platform’s complete shutdown.
- July 22 2026 – SoundCloud announced the acquisition and migration tool.
Data & Statistics
- Lifetime expenditure: approximately $50,000.
- Listings created: ~37,000; uncollected listings: ~77 %.
- Primary assets transferred: editorial archive and genre-map.
Official Statements & Responses
SoundCloud offered Nina’s users free Artist Pro access through the end of 2026 and highlighted the integration of Nina’s discovery tools to surface emerging artists.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Nina has always been about empowering independent artists and documenting the communities that drive music forward,” — Mike Pollard, Nina co-founder, press release.
- “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,” — SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact shutdown date—Music Business Worldwide cites July 22, Resident Advisor cites July 15. Financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, leaving the valuation of Nina’s assets unclear.
What’s Next
SoundCloud has launched a migration tool that lets former Nina artists transfer music, content, and follower networks to SoundCloud. Those who opt in receive a five-month Artist Pro trial extending through the end of 2026. The company will assess how to incorporate Nina’s genre-map and editorial archive, though it has not confirmed whether any blockchain-based distribution technology will be retained.
