Photo Credit: Nina Protocol x SoundCloud

Indie-focused web3 platform Nina Protocol, billed as an alternative to big streamers, shut down in May, but now finds new life in its acquisition by SoundCloud.

Nina Protocol, an indie-focused web3 platform built on the Solana and Arweave blockchains, shut its doors in May. Billed as an alternative to Spotify and other major streamers, it was gaining some traction in the indie community, but—like many web3 plays—the financials evidently didn’t hold up. Now, nearly two months later, the platform has been acquired by SoundCloud.

The agreement grants SoundCloud access to Nina’s editorial archive, genre map, and (if artists choose to opt into SoundCloud’s creator ecosystem) their music catalogs. Musicians who choose to do so will “gain access to industry-leading tools for distribution, direct fan monetization, audience growth, fan engagement, and more equitable streaming revenue, helping them reach new listeners around the world.”

“Nina has always been about empowering independent artists and documenting the communities that drive music forward,” said Mike Pollard, Nina Protocol’s CEO 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. SoundCloud was the natural choice.”

“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,” said Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud.

“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 honor what they’ve created while carrying that mission forward. 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.”

Founded by Jack Callahan, Mike Pollard, and Eric Farber in 2021, Nina Protocol was a web3-based streaming service and music marketplace that began as a distribution service. It allowed artists to upload music directly via the blockchain and retain full ownership and sales revenue.

Earlier this month, a report on Nina Protocol’s data revealed that “only about $50,000 was spent on Nina during the platform’s lifetime,” while the “vast majority of releases,” around 77%, remain uncollected. When Nina migrated to a new on-chain protocol last year, approximately 6,500 early releases were dropped from its catalog and “left stranded on Solana, unavailable for purchase.”