SoundCloud acquires shuttering indie platform Nina Protocol
Berlin-based SoundCloud has acquired the closing US independent streaming service Nina Protocol, reinforcing its dominance in the DIY music economy.
SoundCloud has acquired Nina Protocol, rescuing the independent music platform from a complete shutdown just weeks before it was scheduled to cease operations. The Berlin-based streaming company announced the deal alongside Nina's founders in a joint social media statement. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nina Protocol was founded in 2021 in New York by three individuals, including musician Jack Callahan. It operated as a free, ethical alternative to major corporate streaming services, catering to DIY artists. However, the platform struggled to sustain its business, announcing in May that it would wind down all functions by July 15.
For SoundCloud, this acquisition represents a method of consolidating its position as the primary destination for independent musicians. By absorbing a direct competitor that shared a similar target demographic, SoundCloud eliminates a niche alternative while immediately onboarding a community of artists focused on independent distribution.
For the broader European music technology sector, the deal highlights how Berlin-based SoundCloud continues to differentiate itself from larger, US-dominated streaming rivals. Rather than competing solely on mainstream catalogues, SoundCloud is strategically positioning itself as the infrastructure for the grassroots music economy. Acquiring Nina Protocol aligns with this approach, capturing a segment of the market that prioritizes artist sustainability over corporate models.
To facilitate the transition, Nina Protocol is offering its users an optional migration tool to transfer their music to SoundCloud. The founders noted that they are providing free SoundCloud Artist Pro accounts to migrating users until the end of the year.
In their statement, the Nina founders said the deal ensures "the vision, context and community we built together at Nina continues to have a home that is dedicated to pushing independent music and artist sustainability forward." They added that they were "inspired" by SoundCloud, describing it as "an example of a community and an ethos that resonates with our core beliefs."
