# Audius - Decentralized Music Streaming Platform

> Audius is a decentralized music streaming platform based on blockchain technology that gives artists direct control over their content and revenue. The platform uses Ethereum for AUDIO tokens and Solana for scaling to challenge traditional streaming models like Spotify. With over 500,000 monthly active users, Audius offers an alternative to centralized platforms and enables more direct connections between artists and fans.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Film and music industry · **Organisation:** Audius Inc. · **Maturity level:** Production

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/audius-musik-direkt-fans-streamen

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Production
- **Evidence:** Evidence high
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

Audius (2018, San Francisco, CEO Roneil Rumburg) is a decentralised music streaming platform. Music and metadata are stored directly on the blockchain — Ethereum for content hashing, Solana as the primary blockchain for transactions since 2021. Artists retain 90% of all revenue directly, without label intermediaries. AUDIO is the native governance token.

Audius addresses the fundamental problem of the music industry: Spotify pays artists about $0.003–0.005 per stream; labels and distributors keep the majority. With Audius, 90% of revenues flow directly to artists. The architecture: music is stored as content-address hashes on Ethereum, transactions run on Solana (high speed, low cost). Node operators are stakers holding AUDIO tokens who run the network. Governance: AUDIO token holders vote on platform developments. Well-known artists on Audius include Deadmau5, Skrillex, 3LAU, Disclosure, Mike Shinoda. 3LAU launched an exclusive release via Audius, gaining attention for decentralised music distribution. In 2021, TikTok announced integration with Audius for direct music imports — the project's first social media partner. User numbers: 7 million+ monthly users, 200,000+ artists. Funding: $5 million seed (2019), Series A with Binance Labs, General Catalyst, Multicoin Capital.

## Benefits

- Companies can distribute music more cost-effectively and have direct access to detailed analytics without intermediaries.
- Artists receive higher revenue shares by eliminating middlemen.
- The decentralised structure offers more transparency and control over content and earnings.
- Users can participate in governance decisions of the platform via AUDIO tokens.
- New career opportunities arise in blockchain-based music platforms and token management.

## Challenges

- Traditional music companies must adapt their existing workflows and systems to blockchain-based processes.
- User acceptance requires simplified wallet integration and user-friendliness for non-blockchain users.
- Scaling to millions of concurrent users presents technical challenges.
- Employees need training in blockchain technology and decentralised platform management tools.

## Technology foundation

Audius uses a hybrid blockchain architecture with Ethereum for the AUDIO token in the ERC20 standard and Solana for improved scaling and lower transaction costs. This combination allows the platform to leverage both the security and transparency of Ethereum and the speed and cost efficiency of Solana.

## Sources

- [Coinbase Learn: How is Audius Decentralizing the Music Industry](https://www.coinbase.com/de/learn/crypto-basics/how-is-audius-decentralizing-the-music-industry)
- [Gemini Cryptopedia: Audius Music Decentralized Streaming](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/audius-music-decentralized-streaming-audio-crypto)
- [Bitcoin-2GO: Was ist Audius](https://bitcoin-2go.de/was-ist-audius/)
- [Blockchainwelt: Audius Platform Overview](https://blockchainwelt.de/audius/)