SoundCloud vs Unsplash

SoundCloud Introduces Direct Music Purchases with Zero Commission

SoundCloud announces direct music purchases with zero commission, a new feature for artists and fans.

SoundCloud Acquires Nina Protocol

SoundCloud announced on July 22, 2026 that it has acquired Nina Protocol, a decentralized music platform that allowed independent artists to sell music directly to fans while retaining 100% of revenue. Financial terms were not disclosed and it is unclear if any Nina staff will join SoundCloud. As part of the deal, SoundCloud will take ownership of Nina’s editorial archive and genre map, offer a migration tool for artists to move their work to SoundCloud, and provide a complimentary SoundCloud Artist subscription through the end of the year. Nina had announced a shutdown on May 28 after failing to find a sustainable business model. Nina was founded in 2021 and built on the Solana blockchain with Arweave used for permanent storage.

• SoundCloud announced it has acquired Nina Protocol.
• Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
• SoundCloud will take ownership of Nina’s editorial archive and genre map.

EU Retail Loses Share of Private Consumption, NIQ Report

A NielsenIQ (NIQ) report finds that EU purchasing power per capita rose nominally by 3.3% in 2025 to €22,425, while retail sales in the EU grew only 2.1%, slowing from previous years. Total available funds across the 27 EU states reached roughly €10.1 trillion. The share of private consumption spent in retail fell to 31.9% in 2025, with Germany the lowest at 22.2% and Croatia the highest at 48.3%. Retail sales growth varied widely across markets (Norway +13.1%, Lithuania +10.5%, Sweden +8.9%, Bulgaria +8.2%, Slovakia +8.0%); the UK saw a -0.6% decline. Average EU inflation dropped to 2.5% in 2025 but NIQ expects inflation to rise to about 3.1% in 2026, which could keep pressure on retailers as consumers shift spending toward services, travel and leisure.

• NielsenIQ (NIQ) reports average purchasing power per EU inhabitant rose 3.3% in 2025 to €22,425.
• Total available consumer funds across the 27 EU states were approximately €10.1 trillion in 2025.
• EU retail sales grew 2.1% in 2025, slower than the 3.3% gain in purchasing power.

PDD Holdings Grows, Investments Weigh on Profit

PDD Holdings, parent of Temu and Pinduoduo, reported second-quarter 2026 results showing revenue growth but lower net profit due to higher investments. Q2 revenue rose 8% year-on-year to RMB 112.4 billion, driven by transaction services, while net income attributable to shareholders fell 12% to RMB 27.2 billion. Operating expenses increased as the company expanded spending on merchant subsidies, marketing, compliance, and platform development. PDD retains a strong liquidity position with RMB 456.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and positive operating cash flow, and management says it prioritizes long-term platform-building over short-term profit maximization amid a complex regulatory environment.

• PDD Holdings reported Q2 2026 revenue of RMB 112.4 billion (approx. USD 16.6 billion), up 8% year-on-year.
• Net income attributable to shareholders fell 12% to RMB 27.2 billion in Q2 2026.
• Transaction services revenue increased 13% to RMB 54.7 billion; online marketing and other services generated RMB 57.6 billion.

Pitch us your next photoshoot

Unsplash is inviting photographers to pitch their next photoshoot idea, as announced in a new blog post by Kelsey Bryant.