Kobalt and Madverse Announce Global Partnership for Music Publishing
Table of Contents
Autonomous music publisher Kobalt Music Group and Madverse, a Web3 platform focused on music and entertainment, announced a worldwide partnership on January 16, 2026, to expand opportunities for artists and rights holders in the Web3 space. This collaboration aims to integrate Kobalt’s publishing management services with Madverse’s blockchain-based ecosystem.
What is the Kobalt-Madverse Partnership?
The partnership will allow Kobalt’s songwriters and publishers to explore new revenue streams and engage with fans through madverse’s platform, which utilizes non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other Web3 technologies. Kobalt will provide it’s core publishing services – including royalty collection, copyright management, and creative support – while Madverse will offer tools for artists to create, distribute, and monetize their work directly with fans.
According to a Kobalt press release, the partnership is designed to “empower creators with greater control and clarity over their rights and earnings.”
About Kobalt Music Group
Kobalt Music Group is an independent music company that provides publishing administration, record label services, and neighboring rights administration. Founded in 2000, Kobalt represents a diverse roster of songwriters and publishers, including Paul McCartney, The Weeknd, and many others. Kobalt distinguishes itself through its technology-driven approach to music rights management.
As of December 31, 2025, Kobalt administered over 700,000 songs and collected over $500 million in royalties globally, according to Music Business Worldwide.
About Madverse
Madverse is a Web3 platform built on the Polygon blockchain, designed to connect artists and fans through NFTs and decentralized technologies.The platform allows artists to release music, create digital collectibles, and build communities around their work. Madverse aims to provide a more equitable and obvious system for music monetization.
Madverse launched its beta platform in November 2024, and has since partnered with several artists and labels to release exclusive NFT collections.The platform’s native token, $MAD, is used for transactions and governance within the Madverse ecosystem, as detailed on their tokenomics page.
Implications for the Music Industry
This partnership reflects a growing trend of traditional music companies exploring the potential of Web3 technologies. The integration of blockchain and NFTs could offer artists greater control over their intellectual property and new ways to connect with fans. However, the long-term impact of Web3 on the music industry remains to be seen.
Industry analysts at Midia Research predict that Web3-based music revenue will reach $1.5 billion by 2028, based on current growth rates and adoption trends.
