Story Protocol Announces Public Mainnet Launch on February 13, Paving the Way for Decentralized IP Ownership

Story Protocol, a groundbreaking Web3 intellectual property (IP) platform, is set to launch its public mainnet on February 13. Along with this launch, the protocol will introduce its native token, IP, designed to empower creators and rights holders to monetize and protect their digital content. The news was confirmed in a February 11 post on X, signaling a major step toward decentralized IP management.

Empowering Creators with Decentralized IP

Story's innovative approach aims to revolutionize how intellectual property is handled in the digital age by creating an open market for programmable IP. This platform will allow rights holders to register their work directly on the blockchain, set licensing terms, and establish automatic revenue-sharing systems. The goal is to eliminate middlemen, enabling creators to retain control over their content while being compensated fairly.

The platform’s native token, IP, will facilitate transactions, governance voting, and payments to creators. It will also be used during the staking phase, dubbed “Singularity,” which will begin alongside the mainnet launch. A total of 1 billion IP tokens will be issued, with rewards starting to be distributed on March 2, following the staking phase.

Exchanges Ready to Support IP Token Listing

The IP token will be listed on several prominent exchanges, including Bitget, Bithumb, Bybit, KuCoin, Coinbase, and OKX. This support from top exchanges underscores the growing interest and potential for decentralized intellectual property management within the Web3 ecosystem.

Story's platform allows creators and rights holders to protect their work from unauthorized use while also ensuring they are fairly compensated for their contributions. By using cryptocurrency for licensing fees, creators can receive payouts in their local currency, creating a more accessible and borderless financial structure for content creators.

Addressing the AI and IP Dilemma

Founded in 2022 by Jason Zhao, a former product manager at Google DeepMind, Story Protocol was born out of Zhao’s frustration with AI tools that remix content without compensating the original creators. Zhao recognized that while AI offers immense creative potential, it often fails to offer sustainable business models for those who own the intellectual property.

"In the age of AI, IP will play a critical role in tokenizing the $61 trillion IP asset class," Story stated on February 7. With this in mind, Story seeks to build a framework where creators are empowered to protect and monetize their work, while simultaneously fostering innovation in the AI space.

A Growing Ecosystem

Story's protocol is already being utilized by over 50 applications, including Magma, a platform with 2.5 million users that allows teams to collaborate on digital art creation. Story's foray into the rapidly developing AI landscape also includes its introduction of agentic AI — a system that enables AI agents to interact securely on-chain, exchanging data and compensating bots for their efforts.

The protocol’s expansion is backed by major venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Polychain Capital, Hashed, and Samsung Next. Story raised $29 million in seed funding in May 2023, followed by $25 million in a Series A round in September 2023. The company secured an additional $80 million in its Series B round in August 2024, cementing its position as a leader in the evolving IP and Web3 landscape.

Conclusion

The launch of Story Protocol’s public mainnet on February 13 marks a significant milestone in the quest for decentralized IP ownership. With its innovative use of blockchain and AI, Story is setting the stage for a new era of IP management, where creators have more control, transparency, and financial incentives. As the platform prepares to unveil its native IP token and roll out its staking phase, the future of intellectual property in the digital age looks brighter than ever.