SoundCloud Acquires Nina Protocol to Expand Independent Creator Tools

SoundCloud intends to integrate Nina’s "genre map" and cultural commentary into its existing ecosystem to better highlight emerging artists. While financial terms remain undisclosed and the status of Nina’s original team is unconfirmed, the transition offers a lifeline to independent musicians previously hosted on the Solana-based platform. SoundCloud has launched a migration tool to assist these creators in moving their catalogs, accompanied by complimentary access to professional monetization and audience growth features through the end of the year.

Founded in 2021 by Jack Callahan, Mike Pollard, and Eric Farber, Nina Protocol was designed to bypass traditional streaming constraints by allowing artists to retain full revenue. Despite its technical foundation on the Arweave decentralized storage network, the project failed to secure a viable business model, leading to its shutdown on May 28. CEO Eliah Seton framed the acquisition as a commitment to maintaining that mission, aiming to provide independent acts with sustainable career tools rather than just passive hosting.