The once-revolutionary name in music sharing, Napster, is making headlines again—this time for its bold leap into the metaverse. After multiple ownership changes, Napster has now been acquired by Infinite Reality for $207 million in 2025, according to CNBC.
This iconic platform, once blamed for igniting the era of pirated music, is set to reinvent itself for the virtual age.
From Music Pioneer to Virtual Marketing Tool
Though Napster has faded from mainstream memory, Infinite Reality sees untapped potential. CEO John Acunto plans to revive the brand as a dynamic force in metaverse marketing.
In other words, a platform that first gained notoriety in 1999 is being reimagined to breathe new life into an increasingly stagnant corner of the tech ecosystem.
The Vision: Bringing Music to the Virtual World
The plan is not to relaunch Napster merely as a music streaming service. Instead, the company envisions it as a virtual sales platform for artists and record labels to showcase their content.
Fans will be able to attend 3D concerts, listening parties, and interactive events in immersive digital spaces. As Acunto puts it:
“For our clients—whether they’re influencers or creators—creating a space where people can connect around music and community is essential. No one has created that kind of opportunity in music streaming yet.”
A Legal Edge and Untapped Potential
Napster’s existing licenses to stream millions of songs provide a strong legal foundation. According to Infinite Reality, the platform’s next version could “legally disrupt the industry.”
Acunto boldly compares Napster’s potential to that of Clubhouse during the pandemic—but “a trillion times greater” in scale and impact.
Napster’s Turbulent Journey
Founded in 1999, Napster revolutionized how people shared music. However, its rise was quickly met with intense legal battles, leading to bankruptcy in 2001.
It was acquired by Roxio in 2002, repurposed for digital music sales, then bought by Best Buy in 2008. In 2011, it changed hands again, this time to Rhapsody.
After failed efforts in the European market, Napster was acquired in 2022 by a blockchain consortium led by Hivemind and Algorand. Their NFT-based ambitions didn’t take off, leading to the current acquisition by Infinite Reality.
Can Napster Make a Comeback?
Napster’s latest transformation is ambitious—combining music, virtual spaces, and interactive communities. Yet, whether this revival will succeed where others have failed remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Napster is no longer just a nostalgic name from the early internet—it’s aiming to be a trailblazer in the future of virtual entertainment.
You May Also Like
- Bill gates commented on Metaverse
- Adidas’ Surprise NFT and Metaverse Decisions
- Virtual Yacht Sold for $650,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
