SoundCloud has acquired Nina Protocol, according to Stereogum. Nina Protocol was founded in New York in 2021 as a free, independent music platform meant to offer an ethical, DIY-friendly alternative to major streaming services.
The acquisition was announced in a joint social media statement from both companies. Nina Protocol’s founders said the deal will allow the platform’s vision, context and community to continue in a home that supports independent music and artist sustainability.
In the statement, the founders also said they were inspired by SoundCloud’s community-focused approach and said it aligns with their own beliefs. They invited artists to upload music to SoundCloud using a migration tool, but emphasized that doing so is optional.
As part of the announcement, SoundCloud said it is offering free Artist Pro accounts to Nina artists through the end of the year. The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
