Sony has officially ventured into the world of blockchain-powered music distribution, marking a significant step in the evolution of digital music ownership. Through its blockchain platform Soneium, Sony has partnered with Coop Records, an on-chain record label, to launch its first-ever music NFT collection. This initiative aims to revolutionize the way artists distribute and monetize their work, leveraging blockchain technology to ensure fair compensation and greater creative control.
The debut collection features exclusive tracks by Tokyo-based electronic producer NUU$HI and is available on Sonova, Soneium’s dedicated NFT marketplace. With each NFT priced at 0.000777 ETH (approximately $2.11), the release has seen substantial early demand—644 copies were minted in the first hour alone. This collaboration positions Sony at the forefront of Web3 innovation, signaling a shift toward blockchain-based music distribution.
A New Model for Music Ownership and Revenue Sharing
Sony’s blockchain platform, Soneium, operates on Ethereum’s Layer 2 network, providing a decentralized infrastructure aimed at addressing longstanding issues in the music industry, such as delayed payments and revenue disparities. By integrating smart contracts, the platform automates royalty distribution, ensuring artists receive their earnings in a transparent and timely manner.
Since its official mainnet launch on January 14, 2025, Soneium has quickly gained traction, amassing more than 248,000 active user accounts. It initially operated on a four-month testnet phase beginning in August 2024, during which it recorded over 47 million transactions. While Sony Music Group, which owns major labels like Columbia and RCA, has not yet incorporated Soneium into its broader business operations, the blockchain platform’s growing adoption suggests a potential shift in how music rights and revenues are managed in the future.
Coop Records, known for pioneering decentralized music ownership, has already transitioned more than 600 tracks onto blockchain networks. Its founder, Cooper Turley, emphasized the transformative nature of blockchain in the music industry, stating, “Token-based ecosystems are unlocking unprecedented opportunities for artists to own their work and interact directly with their fans.”
