This week’s featured collector is AI_Me
AI_Me is an NFT artist that uses AI to create vivid and futuristic images. Check out their collection at lazy.com/ai_me
What’s your stance on the proposed NFT Act updates?
Our previous poll’s overwhelming 82% “full support” reflects a clear hunger within the NFT community for regulatory certainty—precisely what the Timmons-Torres NFT Act aims to deliver by classifying certain NFTs as non-securities. With 0% expressing skepticism or neutrality, the data suggests that most respondents are either strongly in favor of clarifying federal rules or firmly opposed to any new legislation (18%). This divide underscores the tension between those who believe structured guidelines will legitimize the space and those wary of stifling innovation. Given the broader context—especially the SEC’s shifting stance and past enforcement controversies—these results highlight a prevailing desire for guardrails that can protect both creators and collectors without overregulating the emerging market.
A Leap Forward for Music NFTs: Sony’s Soneium Teams Up With Crypto Record Label
The music NFT landscape just gained another heavyweight contender with Sony’s public blockchain platform, Soneium, announcing its first-ever NFT collection in partnership with onchain record label Coop Records. Launched on January 14, 2025, Soneium aims to tackle some of the music industry’s most persistent problems—specifically, the lopsided revenue splits that often disadvantage artists and creators.
At the heart of this new initiative is Tokyo-based producer NUU$HI, whose 22-minute music NFT is currently available on Soneium’s marketplace, Sonova. The track has already seen hundreds of mints, highlighting a growing appetite for blockchain-powered music releases.
Redefining Music Monetization Models
Coop Records, the onchain label behind the collection, has long advocated for equitable profit-sharing in the music business. By using NFTs and smart contracts, Coop aims to ensure that artists receive a fair cut of streaming and sales revenues—challenging an industry status quo often dominated by large labels and digital platforms. According to Coop Records founder Cooper Turley, “creators and power users will be the biggest winners” in this new wave of token-driven applications. Soneium aligns with this vision, placing the idea of “fair distribution” at the core of its platform’s design and emphasizing recognition for creators.
Sony’s Blockchain Ambitions
Although Soneium is part of the Sony ecosystem, it operates independently from the conglomerate’s major labels like Columbia Records and RCA Records—for now. However, the potential for crossover is significant. Sony Block Solutions Labs, the Singapore-based unit overseeing Soneium, has already indicated a broader aim to protect intellectual property and foster transparent profit-sharing.
Implications for NFT Collectors
For collectors, the Soneium-Coop collaboration offers more than just another digital collectible. It’s a glimpse into a future where music ownership, fan engagement, and artist compensation are deeply intertwined with NFTs. The relatively low entry cost for this inaugural NFT could signal a shift away from high-priced, speculative NFTs and toward more mainstream accessibility. Furthermore, the direct involvement of Sony—a global entertainment leader—adds a layer of credibility that may encourage broader adoption of music NFTs.
A Broader Cultural Shift
This development underscores a pivotal moment in the evolution of NFTs, where functional utility (like fair compensation for artists) becomes as important as hype-driven exclusivity. Soneium Director and Startale CEO Sota Watanabe has characterized the platform as “the internet for entertainment,” emphasizing music as the next frontier. By demonstrating how NFTs can distribute profits equitably and streamline rights management, Soneium and Coop Records are not just launching a collection—they’re challenging the traditional music industry to rethink its entire value chain.
For collectors, artists, and industry stakeholders, the takeaway is clear: music NFTs are maturing beyond novelty items, with Soneium’s mainnet launch offering a tangible blueprint for fair distribution and transparent monetization. While there’s no guarantee Sony’s major labels will immediately follow suit, the door has been cracked open. As blockchain adoption accelerates and mainstream entities take note, this could mark the beginning of a broader movement—one where musicians, fans, and collectors all share in the value of digital music ownership through NFTs.
Learn more at The Block.
How do you feel about music NFTs?
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