SoundCloud has acquired Nina Protocol, the blockchain-based music marketplace that officially shut down on July 15, 2026.
The acquisition was announced on July 22, just over a week after the platform ceased operations.
The companies did not disclose the financial details of the deal.
SoundCloud Welcomes Nina Protocol’s Community
Nina Protocol built its reputation as a decentralized platform for artists, music releases, and independent editorial content.
It offered an alternative to traditional streaming services by giving musicians greater control over ownership and distribution through blockchain technology.
The platform announced its closure in May. Since then, many users have wondered what would happen to its music catalog and editorial content.
Under the agreement, artists who previously used Nina can now migrate their music to SoundCloud and join the platform’s creator ecosystem.
The acquisition also includes Nina’s editorial archive and its genre map, a feature that visualized relationships between different music scenes and styles.
The Nina Protocol team said the partnership reflects a shared vision.
The team explained that it would only support the transition if it had complete confidence in SoundCloud’s values and future plans.
SoundCloud has not yet explained how it will preserve Nina’s archive over the long term.
The company is still evaluating how it will handle editorial content and third-party contributions.
For many artists, that uncertainty may be more significant than the acquisition itself.
Nina’s editorial approach and genre map helped distinguish the platform from other music marketplaces.
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A Growing Trend in the Music Industry
The acquisition reflects a broader trend across the music industry.
Instead of competing directly with niche artist-focused platforms, larger services are increasingly bringing them into their own ecosystems.
For SoundCloud, the deal adds an established editorial archive and a community of artists already familiar with independent music distribution.
It also supports the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its creator-focused tools and services.