Why did the price of IP fall?
Story (IP) dropped 1.9% to $6.31 in the last 24 hours, underperforming both the overall crypto market (which fell 4.3%) and other AI-related tokens. The main reasons are:
- Profit-taking after a recent rally – IP jumped 20% on October 13 before pulling back.
- Wider market decline – The total crypto market value fell 4.3% due to geopolitical tensions and increased caution among investors.
- Technical signs of weakness – IP fell below important moving averages, indicating downward momentum.
Deep Dive
1. Profit-Taking After the Rally (Negative Impact)
What happened: IP surged 20% on October 13 as AI tokens bounced back from a sharp drop earlier. But traders quickly sold to lock in gains, causing the price to fall again. Trading volume jumped 89% to $382 million during this time.
What it means: Short-term traders took advantage of IP’s price swings. Despite the strong AI sector story, IP has dropped 34.7% over the past 30 days, showing ongoing selling pressure.
2. Broader Market Pressure (Negative Impact)
What happened: The global crypto market fell 4.3% between October 13 and 14, partly due to renewed trade tensions between the U.S. and China (crypto.news).
What it means: IP’s price moved in line with major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (down 3%) and Ethereum (down 3%), which increased its losses. Additionally, the drop in derivatives open interest by 9.2% shows investors are less willing to take risks right now.
3. Technical Breakdown (Negative Impact)
What happened: IP’s price fell below its 7-day simple moving average (SMA) of $7.13 and a key pivot point at $6.61. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 42.35, suggesting weakening momentum.
What it means: The MACD indicator (-0.455) points to a possible continued downtrend. The next support level is at $6.69, based on the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement, while resistance is near $7.13.
Conclusion
IP’s recent price drop is mainly due to traders taking profits after a volatile bounce in the AI sector, combined with broader market uncertainty and technical weakness. Key to watch: Will IP hold the $6.69 support level as more market-wide sell-offs occur?
What could affect the price of IP?
Story’s price is caught between growing interest in AI-powered intellectual property (IP) use and upcoming token unlocks that could increase supply.
- Adoption Drivers – Big partnerships like Solo Leveling and Seoul Exchange may increase Story’s real-world use
- Token Unlocks – 75% of tokens are still locked; if demand doesn’t grow, unlocking could lead to price drops
- AI Storyline – Positioned at the intersection of AI, real-world assets (RWA), and the creator economy, but needs actual revenue to back it up
Deep Dive
1. Project-Specific Factors (Mixed Outlook)
Overview: Story’s value depends on how widely its IP platform is adopted. Recent deals with popular IP like Solo Leveling (a franchise with over 14 billion views) and Seoul Exchange’s exclusive real-world asset settlement (Cryptobriefing) show growing institutional interest. However, the network currently earns only about $17–$45 per day in protocol fees (X critique), which is low compared to its $2 billion market value.
What this means: If Story successfully integrates major IPs, it could increase transaction activity and demand for staking $IP tokens. But if revenue doesn’t grow before 2026, when 41.6% of tokens unlock, selling pressure could increase.
2. Market Position vs. Token Economics (Risk of Price Drop)
Overview: Story competes with many other Layer 1 blockchains while targeting the huge $80 trillion IP market. Its compatibility with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and focus on programmable licenses set it apart, but its fully diluted valuation (FDV) of $8.33 billion is very high compared to current usage — trading at a price-to-earnings ratio over 1 million based on fees.
What this means: The hype around AI and blockchain tools has driven speculation, but for the price to hold or rise, Story needs to grow fees from IP registrations and licensing or continue buybacks like the $82 million repurchase program started in August 2025 (X).
3. Regulatory and Market Environment (Potential Upside)
Overview: Story’s partnership with Seoul Exchange operates within South Korea’s financial sandbox, with plans for a stablecoin pegged to the Korean won (KRW). This could help Story tap into South Korea’s $450 billion crypto market if regulations support tokenized real-world assets. However, Story’s price dropped 35% in the past week, partly due to Bitcoin’s tariff-related crash.
What this means: If regulators approve using IP as collateral or stablecoin integration, Story could attract more institutional investors. On the other hand, if Bitcoin remains dominant (“Bitcoin Season”), capital may stay away from niche projects like Story for longer.
Conclusion
Story’s price depends on how well it can deliver on its IP platform before large token unlocks in 2026 test investor confidence. While AI partnerships and favorable Korean regulations offer growth opportunities, the current mismatch between valuation and revenue is a risk. Keep an eye on Seoul Exchange’s real-world asset volumes and Story’s protocol fees — can the project turn hype into steady economic activity before dilution pressures hit?
What are people saying about IP?
Story (IP) is generating a lot of buzz, with opinions swinging between big potential and concerns about its current value. Here’s what’s trending:
- Story’s identity debate – Is it the next big thing in AI, real-world assets (RWA), and creator economy, or just a project making $17–$45 per day?
- $82 million token buyback boosts the price, but some worry about a large token release in 2026.
- Growing popularity in South Korea – Partnerships with Parasite studio, Solo Leveling, and increased trading on Upbit are driving excitement.
- Valuation concerns – With a $2.57 billion market cap but an $8.33 billion fully diluted valuation (FDV), some say the price is based more on hopes than reality.
Deep Dive
1. @Paiin_ip: High-Risk, High-Reward Infrastructure Play (Mixed)
"Story isn’t priced on what it is today. It’s priced on execution before 2026 unlocks crush price."
– @Paiin_ip (14.2K followers · 189K impressions · 2025-09-27 15:18 UTC)
View original post
What this means: Opinions are split. Supporters see Story as a key player at the crossroads of AI, real-world assets, and intellectual property (IP), with $100 million in music IP locked value and a deal with Parasite film studio. Critics point out that 41.6% of tokens held by insiders will become available by 2026, which could lower the price, and note that current revenue is very low.
2. @AnonVee_: Buyback-Driven Rally (Bullish)
"$82m token repurchase program activated" as IP hits $8.4
– @AnonVee (32.8K followers · 2.1M impressions · 2025-08-30 16:06 UTC)
[View original post](https://x.com/AnonVee/status/1961822751078990024)
What this means: The company’s treasury is buying back $82 million worth of tokens, which has pushed the price up in the short term. However, whether this momentum lasts depends on if the buyback at $3.40 per token can balance out the selling pressure when insiders’ tokens unlock.
3. @fineboytunde_: Fee Structure Debate (Neutral)
"$1.9 for 250k+ transactions shows accessibility" vs. critics mocking $370 weekly revenue
– @fineboytunde (89.4K followers · 3.7M impressions · 2025-09-03 00:03 UTC)
[View original post](https://x.com/fineboytunde/status/1963030149080682755)
What this means: The platform’s low fees (about $1.90 for over 250,000 transactions) make it attractive for developers, with more than 1.7 million transactions so far. But to justify a valuation over $2 billion, fees and revenue would need to grow by 1,000 times or more.
Conclusion
The overall view on Story (IP) is mixed. On one hand, institutional interest is strong, with backing from Grayscale Trust and deals involving Nasdaq-listed companies. On the other hand, the high fully diluted valuation and upcoming token unlocks raise concerns. Keep an eye on the upcoming IPKit SDK release — if widely adopted, it could support the optimistic $30 billion valuation. If delayed, it might cause some investors to sell before the 2026 unlock. In short, this Layer 1 blockchain’s future depends heavily on execution.
What is the latest news about IP?
Story (IP) is gaining attention by combining the excitement around AI with real-world business partnerships, but it’s also facing challenges as more people try to use it. Here are the latest highlights:
- AI Coins Bounce Back After Market Drop (October 13, 2025) – IP’s value jumped 20% as AI-related cryptocurrencies led the market recovery.
- Seoul Exchange Partners with Story (September 22, 2025) – A 3-year exclusive agreement to handle tokenized Korean intellectual property (IP) assets on Story’s blockchain.
- Baby Shark Memecoin Crash (September 26, 2025) – An unauthorized token tied to the popular Baby Shark IP lost 99% of its value, raising legal questions.
In-Depth Look
1. AI Coins Bounce Back After Market Drop (October 13, 2025)
What happened:
On October 13, IP’s price rose 20% as cryptocurrencies focused on AI technology recovered from a recent market crash known as “Black Saturday.” The overall AI crypto sector’s market value increased by 16.7%, with IP outperforming similar projects like Bittensor (+19%) and Render (+16%).
Why it matters:
This price jump shows investors are betting on AI-related blockchain projects as the market recovers. However, IP’s price also dropped 35% earlier in the week, showing that the market is still unstable. It will be important to see if this momentum continues, especially if Bitcoin stays above $115,000.
(U.Today)
2. Seoul Exchange Partners with Story (September 22, 2025)
What happened:
Seoul Exchange, a licensed financial exchange in South Korea, signed an exclusive 3-year deal to use Story’s blockchain for settling tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). These assets include K-pop royalties and patents from big names like BLACKPINK, BTS, and Baby Shark. This move targets South Korea’s $450 billion crypto market.
Why it matters:
This partnership is a strong vote of confidence in Story’s technology for managing IP assets. It could help turn traditionally hard-to-sell assets into more liquid investments. However, the success of this deal depends on Story’s ability to handle regulatory requirements and avoid legal issues like those seen with the Baby Shark token.
(CryptoBriefing)
3. Baby Shark Memecoin Crash (September 26, 2025)
What happened:
A memecoin themed around Pinkfong’s Baby Shark was launched on Story’s network but lost 99% of its value after Pinkfong denied authorizing the token. Story initially promoted the token but later removed related posts, raising concerns about how well IP rights are checked on the platform.
Why it matters:
Although Story was not directly responsible, this event highlights the risks of allowing anyone to create tokens based on popular IP without proper permission. It challenges investor trust in Story’s ability to balance innovation with protecting intellectual property rights, especially as its market value hovers around $2 billion.
(Decrypt)
Conclusion
Story is navigating a mix of positive institutional support, like the Seoul Exchange deal, and setbacks from community-driven issues, like the Baby Shark token collapse. While AI-related growth and real-world asset partnerships offer promising opportunities, Story must demonstrate it can grow responsibly without legal problems. The key question is whether IP can maintain a price above $6 as South Korea’s tokenized IP market develops faster than the ups and downs caused by meme tokens.
What is expected in the development of IP?
Story’s roadmap centers on building AI-focused intellectual property (IP) infrastructure and making key technical improvements.
- IP Vault Launch (Late 2025) – A secure on-chain storage system for AI datasets.
- Confidential Transactions (Research Phase) – Developing privacy features for IP monetization.
- Next-Gen Consensus (2026) – Upgrading scalability through collaboration with Stanford.
- Global IP Expansion (Ongoing) – Tokenizing patents, brands, and real-world data assets.
Deep Dive
1. IP Vault Launch (Late 2025)
Overview:
Story plans to introduce the IP Vault on its development network by late 2025. This will be a secure storage layer designed to protect confidential IP data, such as AI training datasets. The Vault uses encryption keys stored directly on the blockchain, allowing license holders to access data in a controlled, programmable way (crypto.news).
What this means:
This is promising for enterprise adoption, as seen with Poseidon AI integrating a $15 million dataset. However, there is a risk of delays before the full launch on the main network, which is targeted for 2026.
2. Confidential Transactions (Research Phase)
Overview:
Story is collaborating with Stanford’s FDCI to explore privacy-focused methods for royalty payments and IP licensing. The goal is to maintain transparency while protecting sensitive commercial information (Story Roadmap).
What this means:
While there’s no set timeline yet, this research is important for attracting regulated sectors like biomedicine. If successful, it could set Story apart from competitors such as Ethereum.
3. Next-Gen Consensus (2026)
Overview:
Story is testing new consensus technologies, including HotStuff and BLS signatures, to reduce transaction delays and support over 100 validators (up from the current 80). This upgrade is part of a long-term plan to improve scalability for AI-driven IP networks.
What this means:
This is positive for decentralization and network speed. However, switching consensus mechanisms carries risks that could temporarily disrupt node operators if not managed carefully.
4. Global IP Expansion (Ongoing)
Overview:
Following its initial phases, Story is expanding to tokenize various IP types like patents, fashion designs, and real-world data. For example, Heritage Distilling recently launched a $360 million IP treasury using Story’s platform. Partnerships with institutions like Oxford University are helping drive adoption (Coinspeaker).
What this means:
This expansion increases Story’s practical use cases but depends heavily on clear regulations. Tokenizing non-digital IP faces legal challenges in some regions.
Conclusion
Story’s roadmap strikes a balance between near-term technical upgrades like the IP Vault and long-term ambitions around AI and global IP tokenization. Key risks include potential delays and regulatory hurdles. The big question remains: how quickly can Story turn its vision of an $80 trillion IP market into active on-chain use while keeping transaction costs low?
What updates are there in the IP code base?
Story Protocol is upgrading its technology to better support AI-driven intellectual property (IP) management by expanding its network validators and improving compatibility with Ethereum.
- Validator Expansion to 80 (August 2025) – More validators mean a stronger, more secure network.
- Support for Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade (August 2025) – Better integration with Ethereum, making data handling more efficient.
- Security & API Enhancements (May–July 2025) – Improved tools and protections for network operators and developers.
Deep Dive
1. Validator Expansion to 80 (August 2025)
What happened: Story increased the number of active validators from 64 to 80. Validators are like trusted nodes that help keep the network running smoothly and securely.
This change makes the network more decentralized, meaning no single group controls it, which reduces the risk of attacks or failures. Validators have been very reliable, with 99.56% uptime and no downtime since the network launched. The network also tested its limits on a separate test environment called Aeneid Testnet.
Why it matters: More validators mean a safer and more trustworthy platform, especially important for companies managing valuable IP assets. (Source)
2. Support for Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade (August 2025)
What happened: Story integrated Ethereum’s latest Pectra upgrade, which includes several improvements to how Ethereum processes transactions and handles cryptography.
This update makes Story fully compatible with Ethereum’s virtual machine (EVM), allowing developers to use Ethereum tools and features directly on Story’s network. It also improves how data is stored and managed during transactions.
Why it matters: While this doesn’t immediately change Story’s performance, it opens the door for developers to build more complex applications, especially those involving AI data and IP licensing, by leveraging Ethereum’s ecosystem. (Source)
3. Security & API Enhancements (May–July 2025)
What happened: Story introduced several improvements to make running network nodes easier and more secure. This includes faster syncing for new nodes, encrypted keys for validators, and stricter checks on transactions.
APIs (tools that let developers interact with the network) were upgraded to better handle withdrawal requests and monitor validator performance. Command-line tools were also improved to prevent misuse, such as unfair commission rates or invalid delegations.
Why it matters: These upgrades reduce technical hurdles and security risks for node operators, which is crucial for attracting institutional users and ensuring smooth network operations. (Source)
Conclusion
Story Protocol is focusing on making its network scalable, secure, and compatible with Ethereum, all essential steps toward becoming the go-to platform for managing AI-related intellectual property. With more validators and better Ethereum integration, Story is positioning itself as a reliable infrastructure for programmable rights in generative AI. These upgrades could help studios and AI companies adopt Story’s technology more quickly in late 2025.