Audius
Audius is a decentralized music streaming company and blockchain-based protocol focused on transforming how music is distributed, monetized, and owned in the digital age. Founded in 2018, Audius was created to give artists more control over their content and earnings while fostering direct relationships with fans. Unlike traditional streaming platforms, Audius operates as an open, community-governed network, where infrastructure is maintained by independent node operators and governance decisions are guided by its native AUDIO token. The company blends Web3 technology with consumer-friendly music streaming, offering a familiar listening experience while leveraging blockchain to provide transparency, censorship resistance, and creator-first economics. Today, hundreds of thousands of artists worldwide use Audius to share their music, strengthen fan relationships, and participate in a decentralized creator economy that aligns incentives between platforms, creators, and audiences.
ABOUT AUDIUS
Audius provides a blockchain-based alternative to existing streaming platforms to help artists publish and monetize their work and distribute it directly to fans.
The platform provides features that include audio file hosting and streaming, creator dashboard, exclusive content, listen without downloading additional software, and earn royalties.
Audius has attracted venture backing from leading investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pantera Capital, Multicoin Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and General Catalyst, underscoring its role as one of the most prominent blockchain-based music platforms.
Today, Audius supports a global ecosystem of hundreds of thousands of artists and millions of users, spanning mainstream musicians, independent creators, and experimental Web3-native artists.
AUDIUS FEATURES & SERVICES
Decentralized Music Streaming Platform – Audius operates as a blockchain-powered, decentralized music streaming protocol that enables artists to upload, host, and distribute music directly to a global audience without relying on traditional intermediaries.
Artist-First Distribution & Monetization – The platform empowers creators with greater ownership and control over their content, allowing artists to monetize their work while retaining rights and avoiding the high fees typically charged by centralized streaming services.
Community-Governed Infrastructure – Audius is maintained by a decentralized network of node operators who host content and index metadata. Governance decisions, including protocol upgrades and ecosystem incentives.
AUDIO Token Utility & Governance – The native AUDIO token plays a central role in securing the network, rewarding contributors, and enabling decentralized governance. Artists, fans, and operators can stake AUDIO to support the ecosystem and participate in decision-making.
Direct Fan Engagement Tools – Audius enables artists to build deeper relationships with fans through direct uploads, exclusive content, and community-driven discovery mechanisms that reduce reliance on algorithmic gatekeepers.
Transparent Streaming Analytics – Creators gain access to real-time streaming data and engagement metrics, allowing them to better understand their audience and optimize content and release strategies.
Cross-Platform Accessibility – Audius is accessible via web and mobile applications, offering a familiar streaming experience while seamlessly integrating Web3 functionality behind the scenes.
Low Barrier to Entry for Artists – By eliminating upfront distribution fees and minimizing platform costs, Audius lowers the financial barriers for independent and emerging artists to reach global audiences.