What could affect the price of IP?

Story’s price is balancing between growing AI-driven intellectual property (IP) use and upcoming token unlocks that could increase supply.

1. AI & IP Adoption – Expanding AI data licensing could boost Story’s usefulness
2. Token Unlocks – 75% of tokens will unlock by 2029, which may dilute value
3. Buyback Efforts – $82 million planned for open-market token repurchases through November 2025

In-Depth Look

1. Growth in AI-Focused IP (Positive Outlook)

What’s happening: Story is aiming at the huge $61 trillion IP market, especially in licensing data for AI training. Partnerships with companies like Stability AI and Heritage Distilling, which has set aside $82 million for Story tokens, show growing institutional interest. Upcoming features like the IP Portal (launching July 2025) will allow detailed management of rights for AI models.

Why it matters: If AI companies start using Story’s platform more, transaction volume could rise, leading to more tokens being “burned” (removed from circulation) through transaction fees. However, current on-chain revenue is low—about $370 per week as of August 2025—and would need to grow over 100 times to support Story’s current valuation.

2. Token Supply and Unlock Schedule (Potential Risk)

What’s happening: There are currently 305 million tokens circulating (about 30.5% of total supply). Starting February 2026, tokens held by early investors (21.6%) and core contributors (20%) will unlock over 48 months. The Story Foundation holds 10% and is actively buying back tokens with $82 million until November 2025.

Why it matters: While buybacks may help reduce selling pressure in the short term, Story’s fully diluted valuation ($9.71 billion) depends on absorbing roughly 700 million new tokens by 2029. Similar token unlocks in other projects, like Aptos in 2023, led to price drops of 40-60% after vesting periods.

3. Leadership Changes and Market Sentiment (Mixed Signals)

What’s happening: Co-founder Jason Zhao left in August 2025, causing a 22% price drop. The new CEO, S.Y. Lee, has sped up product launches. Developer activity has increased by 300% since the mainnet launch, but some community members worry about risks like “VC softrug” (venture capital soft rug pulls).

Why it matters: Successfully delivering on the AI roadmap in late 2025 could restore confidence. However, if Story fails to onboard major IP holders, such as large media companies, selling pressure may increase as token unlocks continue.

Conclusion

Story’s price is caught between its promising AI and IP use case and the challenges posed by token unlocks. The $82 million buyback program offers short-term support, but maintaining prices above $10 will require clear growth in revenue from IP transactions. Keep an eye on the IP Portal adoption rate—if quarterly transactions exceed 10 million by December 2025 (up from 1.7 million now), the outlook becomes more positive.

What are people saying about IP?

Story (IP) is navigating between big institutional interest and the realities of its protocol. Here’s what’s making headlines:

1. Grayscale Trust launch boosts hopes for institutional adoption 🚀
2. Nasdaq-listed company treasury move sparks optimism for buybacks 📈
3. $15/day protocol fees versus $8.2 billion fully diluted valuation (FDV) raises concerns 🚩
4. Co-founder departure rumors clash with $82 million buyback program ⚔️
5. Technical analysis points to a potential $11.66 all-time high (ATH) breakout after a 31% price jump 📊

Deep Dive

1. @ArunCryptoSpace: Institutional gateway looks promising

"Grayscale’s Story Trust opens $80 trillion IP economy to accredited investors"
– @ArunCryptoSpace (12.3k followers · 47k impressions · 2025-09-08 14:47 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This is a positive sign for $IP because products like Grayscale’s trust usually bring more liquidity and credibility to the token. However, the price might not react immediately.

2. @bitbank_markets: Corporate treasury adoption is a bullish signal

"First publicly listed company adopts IP as treasury reserve after 31% price surge"
– @bitbank_markets (89k followers · 210k impressions · 2025-09-10 03:27 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This shows real-world companies are starting to use Story’s tokenized intellectual property, which supports its value proposition. Still, a large portion of tokens (25%) becoming available soon could put downward pressure on the price.

3. @cryptothedoggy: Valuation concerns raise red flags

"$8.2 billion FDV vs $15/day fees equals a 1.5 million price-to-earnings ratio. Break-even year: 4525 AD 😂"
– @cryptothedoggy (38k followers · 287k impressions · 2025-08-31 04:00 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This is a bearish viewpoint because the current revenue doesn’t justify such a high valuation. Supporters argue that fees will increase as AI and IP adoption grow.

4. @fineboytunde_: Leadership changes stir doubts but buybacks offer support

"Co-founder left? Yes. Dead project? No. $82 million buyback program is the real story"
– @fineboytunde (64k followers · 155k impressions · 2025-09-03 00:03 UTC)
[View original post](https://x.com/fineboytunde/status/1963030149080682755)
What this means: Mixed feelings here — the co-founder’s exit raises questions about governance, but the ongoing buyback program (running through November 2025) could help stabilize the token price.

5. @AnonVee_: Technical indicators suggest bullish momentum

"IP hits $10 ($10 billion FDV) – strong momentum after breaking $9 resistance"
– @AnonVee (217k followers · 892k impressions · 2025-09-09 13:11 UTC)
[View original post](https://x.com/AnonVee/status/1965402738650718328)
What this means: The price staying above key averages like the 20-day EMA at $7.87, combined with a high RSI of 79, indicates strong momentum, though it may be overbought in the short term.

Conclusion

The outlook on $IP is mixed, balancing promising institutional developments with concerns about its economic fundamentals. Grayscale’s trust and corporate treasury adoption point to growing real-world use, but critics warn that the valuation is currently too high compared to revenue. The Story Foundation’s $82 million buyback program, funded by Heritage Distilling, will be important to watch over the next 60 days to see if it can offset token unlocks and selling pressure.

What is the latest news about IP?

Story (IP) is experiencing a rollercoaster of corporate interest and leadership changes. Here’s what’s happening:

1. First Public Company IP Treasury (September 10, 2025) – Heritage Distilling invests $360 million in IP tokens, pushing the price up 31%.
2. $82 Million Buyback Program Launched (August 30, 2025) – Story Protocol buys back tokens to address concerns about low revenue.
3. Co-Founder Steps Down Amid Controversy (August 18, 2025) – Jason Zhao leaves, sparking accusations of a “soft rug pull.”

In-Depth Look

1. First Public Company IP Treasury (September 10, 2025)

What happened: Heritage Distilling (traded on Nasdaq as CASK) became the first public company to hold IP tokens as part of its treasury. They committed $360 million, including $82 million spent buying tokens on the open market. They plan to use Story’s programmable IP technology for AI and licensing projects. This news pushed IP’s price to a new all-time high of $11.66.
Why it matters: This move shows that big companies see real value in using tokens like IP for business purposes. However, Story’s current revenue is still very small (about $45 per day), so there are risks in how well this will work out. (bitbank Markets)

2. $82 Million Buyback Program Launched (August 30, 2025)

What happened: Story Protocol started an $82 million token buyback to help stabilize the price after criticism about the large gap between its market value ($5.8 billion) and its revenue. This buyback is funded by Heritage Distilling’s investment and aims to reduce selling pressure from early investors.
Why it matters: This could help the token price in the short term, but the long-term success depends on how widely the protocol is adopted. Some critics say this looks more like investors cashing out than genuine growth. (AnonVee)

3. Co-Founder Steps Down Amid Controversy (August 18, 2025)

What happened: Jason Zhao, co-founder of Story, resigned on August 16 to focus on his new AI startup, Poseidon. The community reacted strongly because Zhao still holds 5% of the tokens, worth about $281 million, while the protocol only makes about $45 per day. Some called this a “tier-1 VC soft rug pull.” After the announcement, IP’s price dropped 15% in a week.
Why it matters: This is a negative sign in the short term because it creates uncertainty about leadership. However, the new CEO, S.Y. Lee, has plans to improve the technology, especially around AI data pipelines, which could help restore confidence if successful. (The Defiant)

Conclusion

Story (IP) is caught between growing interest from big companies and skepticism from the community. The price swings reflect this tension between corporate deals and grassroots doubts. The big question is whether Heritage Distilling’s investment will lead to lasting adoption or if IP’s $10 billion-plus valuation is mostly based on speculation.

What is expected in the development of IP?

Story’s roadmap is all about building a stronger foundation and making its intellectual property (IP) more useful:

1. Big Tech Upgrade (Q3 2025) – Improving network speed, adding developer tools, and making the system more reliable.
2. On-Chain Storage Research (2025–2026) – Looking into ways to store large files like AI datasets directly on the blockchain.
3. Confidential Transactions (2025–2026) – Developing privacy features for IP licensing and payments.

In-Depth Look

1. Big Tech Upgrade (Q3 2025)

What’s happening:
Story plans to improve three main areas:

• Speed and Stability: Making the network faster by reducing block times, increasing the number of validators by 10–20%, and updating key software components for better reliability.
• Developer Tools: Launching a public beta of IPKit, a software development kit (SDK) with easy-to-use interface parts to help developers register and monetize IP in their apps.
• Governance: Simplifying how nodes (network participants) update their software to reduce downtime.

Why it matters:
Faster, more reliable tech and better tools could attract more projects, especially those working with AI and data. There’s a risk of delays or technical issues, but overall this is a positive step toward wider adoption.

2. On-Chain Storage Research (2025–2026)

What’s happening:
Story is exploring new ways to store large files directly on the blockchain instead of relying on external services like IPFS. This could improve data tracking and security (Story Foundation).

Why it matters:
If successful, Story could become a one-stop platform for managing IP, especially for big data projects. However, this is complex and could be costly to implement, so it’s a longer-term goal.

3. Confidential Transactions (2025–2026)

What’s happening:
In partnership with Stanford FDCI, Story is working on technology to keep IP licensing terms and royalty payments private while still allowing audits. This is especially important for industries like biomedicine where data privacy is critical.

Why it matters:
This feature could make Story more attractive to businesses that need privacy, balancing transparency with confidentiality. It’s a challenging goal due to technical and legal hurdles but could open up new markets.

Conclusion

Story is focusing first on strengthening its core technology by Q3 2025, with bigger ambitions around AI and data use cases down the line. Key things to watch include how many validators join after the upgrade and how widely IPKit is adopted. The big question: can on-chain storage and privacy features help Story tap into the massive $80 trillion IP market as planned?

What updates are there in the IP code base?

Story Protocol has made important updates to its software that improve security, scalability, and compatibility with Ethereum.

1. More Validators (August 8, 2025) – Increased the number of validators from 64 to 80 to make the network more decentralized.
2. Ethereum Pectra Support (August 19, 2025) – Added support for Ethereum’s latest upgrade to enable better cross-chain interaction.
3. Security & API Enhancements (June 17, 2025) – Fixed security issues and improved node performance.

In-Depth Look

1. More Validators (August 8, 2025)

What happened:
The Polybius update (version 1.3.2) raised the number of active validators from 64 to 80. Validators are the participants who help secure the network by verifying transactions.

Why it matters:
Having more validators means the network is less dependent on a small group, which makes it more secure and trustworthy. This also prepares the network to handle more transactions as more people use it. Node operators need to update their software to stay in sync.

Impact:
This is a positive development for $IP because decentralization is a key factor in blockchain reliability.
(Source)

2. Ethereum Pectra Support (August 19, 2025)

What happened:
The Cosmas update added compatibility with Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade, which includes several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs 7702, 2537, 7623, 7685).

Why it matters:
This means Story’s platform now works smoothly with Ethereum’s latest technology. Developers can more easily use Ethereum tools and smart contracts on Story’s network.

Impact:
In the short term, this change is neutral for $IP, but it’s positive in the long run because it makes Story more attractive to developers familiar with Ethereum.
(Source)

3. Security & API Enhancements (June 17, 2025)

What happened:
The Ovid update (version 1.2.0) introduced faster node syncing, encrypted keys for validators, and stricter rules for validating transactions. It also fixed bugs related to reward calculations and commission rates, and removed insecure command-line options.

Why it matters:
These improvements reduce security risks for those running nodes and staking tokens, which helps build trust in Story’s $2.95 billion ecosystem.

Impact:
This is a positive update for $IP, as stronger security encourages more participation and confidence in the network.
(Source)

Conclusion

Story Protocol’s recent updates focus on increasing decentralization, aligning with Ethereum’s technology, and strengthening security. With more validators and improved Ethereum compatibility, Story is positioning itself as a reliable platform for managing programmable intellectual property in the AI-driven economy.

How will these upgrades affect developer interest as Story moves into its next phase focused on AI-native solutions?

Why did the price of IP fall?

Story (IP) dropped 7.77% in the last 24 hours, even though it gained 22.42% over the past week and 64.74% over the last month. This recent dip is due to investors taking profits after strong gains, mixed feelings about the founder leaving, and worries about how sustainable the protocol’s revenue is.

1. Profit-Taking After Rally – The price pulled back from a recent all-time high of $11.75 on September 9, following signs that it was overbought.
2. Concerns Over Low Protocol Revenue – The protocol’s daily fees of $15 compared to its $8.2 billion valuation raised questions about its value.
3. Uncertainty After Founder Exit – Doubts remain after co-founder Jason Zhao left in August.

Deep Dive

1. Profit-Taking After Rally (Short-Term Downtrend)

Overview: Story (IP) surged 167% over the past 90 days, reaching a peak price of $11.75 on September 9. The recent 24-hour drop is a natural correction after such a rapid increase, especially with technical indicators showing it was overbought (14-day RSI at 76.34).

What this means: Investors often sell near all-time highs to lock in profits, especially when momentum slows down. Trading volume for IP dropped 46% to $112 million in the last day, which means less buying support.

What to watch: If the price stays above the 30-day simple moving average (SMA) at $6.91, it could stabilize. But if it falls below $9.34 (the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level), a deeper correction might happen.

2. Protocol Revenue Concerns (Negative Sentiment)

Overview: Critics pointed out that Story’s protocol fees are only about $15 per day, which seems low compared to its fully diluted valuation (FDV) of $8.2 billion. This suggests a very high price-to-earnings ratio of around 1.5 million, as noted by @cryptothedoggy.

What this means: While low fees can help attract users, these numbers have led some to question whether the token is overvalued. This contrasts with positive news like Heritage Distilling’s $82 million buyback program, which helped push the price up by 40% in August.

3. Founder Exit Fallout (Mixed Impact)

Overview: Co-founder Jason Zhao left the project on August 16, which caused some to accuse the team of a “soft rug pull.” However, CEO S.Y. Lee is still leading the project. After Zhao’s exit, the price dropped 22% over the next month but has since recovered.

What this means: The recent 24-hour price drop isn’t directly related to Zhao’s departure, but some investors remain cautious about centralized leadership and token supply issues, such as 70% of tokens being locked.

Conclusion

The recent drop in Story (IP) price is a mix of profit-taking, valuation worries, and changing investor sentiment—common for altcoins after big price runs. While the project’s focus on AI and intellectual property, along with support from institutions like Grayscale Trust, offers long-term promise, weak on-chain revenue and token unlock schedules are risks to watch.

Key levels to watch: Will Story hold above $9.34 (38.2% Fibonacci retracement), or will profit-taking push it down to the $8.50 support level? Keep an eye on protocol fee trends and how buyback programs are executed for signs of confidence.