Palo Alto, CA, February 2nd, 2026, Chainwire
Attribution Note: The following announcement reflects information provided to the Story Foundation by PIP Labs (Pen Technology Inc.), the issuer of $IP, regarding an update to the $IP token unlock schedule.
Unlock date for previously locked tokens moved by 6 months to support long-term alignment and network health
Story today announced that the initial unlock schedule for all locked $IP tokens, including the initial unlock and any subsequent vesting-based releases, is being delayed by 6 months for all investors, team and insiders. As a result, no new liquidity from locked tokens will enter circulation until August 13, 2026.
Since its Mainnet launch, Story has seen new use cases emerge and broader industry forces accelerate, particularly at the intersection of IP and AI. These developments have informed how the company prioritizes product development, partnerships, and go-to-market execution as it builds toward product-market fit, sustainable revenue, and long-term network growth.
The decision is part of a broader set of long-term measures designed to strengthen alignment with the Story community and the network’s economic foundations, and reflects the company’s continued focus on long-term alignment, network health, and disciplined execution, particularly amid challenging macro and market conditions.
It follows the recent implementation of SIP-00009 and SIP-00010, which recalibrate emissions and staking incentives to support more sustainable token economics as the network matures.
Together, these proposals materially shift Story’s token economics toward long-term sustainability. Locked token staking rewards are being significantly reduced, lowering emissions from tokens that are not yet circulating, while incentives increasingly favor active participation through unlocked staking. At the same time, lowering staking thresholds and fees makes participation more accessible to the broader community. The combined effect is a more disciplined issuance profile, healthier stake distribution, and reduced inflationary pressure as the network matures.
Delaying unlocks complements these changes by ensuring that new liquidity enters the system gradually, alongside a more disciplined emissions model and broader community participation.
When Story launched, its mission was to build foundational infrastructure for programmable intellectual property. While that mission remains unchanged, our understanding of where the strongest traction is forming, and what long-term success requires has continued to evolve.
What’s Changing
- Original unlock date: February 13, 2026
- Updated unlock date: August 13, 2026
The update applies only to previously locked team, investor, and early contributor tokens.
There are no changes to:
- Total token supply
- Individual token allocations
- Vesting schedules
- Legal ownership of tokens
Impact on Circulating Supply
Under the updated schedule, locked tokens unlock over a longer period while remaining subject to the same total allocations and vesting terms. The practical effect is a slower increase in circulating supply during the extension window compared to the original schedule. Actual circulating supply dynamics may vary based on network activity, staking participation, and other factors.
To support consistent application of the revised unlock date, Story has introduced a neutral, automated smart-contract mechanism that technically enforces the updated lockup terms. The underlying lockup obligations remain legally binding, regardless of whether the technical authorization is completed.
Story Foundation or any other entity does not gain custody of wallets and does not have the ability to move tokens.
It’s the company’s responsibility is to look past near-term behavior and make choices that support the network’s long-term stability. Known supply milestones can introduce unnecessary noise during uncertain market cycles. Governance decisions should be designed to strengthen the system over time, not amplify short-term volatility. Markets tend to reward discipline over reaction.
About Story
Story is an AI-native blockchain network designed to serve as the provenance, licensing, and economic layer for AI data and models. Powered by the $IP token, Story enables datasets, models, and AI-generated outputs to be registered as intellectual property, licensed programmatically, and monetized with built-in attribution.
Backed by $136 million from a16z crypto, Polychain Capital, and Samsung Ventures, Story launched its mainnet in February 2025 and is building foundational infrastructure for the AI economy. By making IP native to the data and model lifecycle, Story provides the trust and economic rails required for AI systems to scale responsibly across enterprises, developers, and global markets.
Contact
Head of Communications
HV
Story Protocol
henri.vies@piplabs.xyz
