Story Postpones Initial IP Token Unlock Schedule Amid Market Worries

• Story announced the postponement of its initial unlock schedule for its IP token, including vesting-based releases for investors, the core team, and insiders.
• The new initial unlock schedule is on August 13, 2026.

Story Protocol (IP), an artificial intelligence (AI)-native infrastructure for the intellectual property (IP) economy, announced that it’s revising its initial unlock schedule. The move would delay the issuance of new tokens into its supply until August 13, 2026.

Behind the Decision to Delay Initial Story (IP) Token Unlock

The decision also pauses vesting-based releases in its economy, including the supply allocated to investors, team, and insiders. Story explained it’s part of a long-term strategy to strengthen alignment with its community and reinforce its economic foundations. Likewise, it reduces potential selling pressure from early entrants, creating a massive selling pressure as they cash out their investments.

Story deployed the update via a neutral, automated smart contract mechanism. Additionally, it builds upon the recent approval of the SIP-00009 proposal recalibrating emissions and locked staking multipliers, as well as the SIP-00010 proposal reducing minimum staking reward and operation fee thresholds. Story stated that all the new updates reflect its goal toward long-term sustainability and driving real network participation.

ADVERTISEMENT“The combined effect is a more disciplined issuance curve and a long-term bias toward healthier, more stable circulating supply dynamics,” said Story.

Moreover, Story highlighted that extending the initial unlock by 6 months allows its team to continue executing its core product and revenue priorities while offering a more predictable supply event to ecosystem participants.

Community Reaction

Story’s statement came as a welcome relief amid a decline in crypto market sentiment to its lowest level, so far, this year. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index currently treads within the “Extreme Fear” territory at 14.

ADVERTISEMENTCrypto Fear & Greed Index (Source: Alternative)For many, the decision demonstrates Story’s commitment to its community. They considered it a strong alignment between its goals and community interest.

Token Supply and Valuation

To date, IP has a total token supply of 1.02 billion. Around 349.75 million tokens are already in circulation. According to Story’s roadmap, the initial token unlock will add 100 million IPs to the market.

Story (IP) Token Unlock Schedule (Source: Story Protocol via X)Over the last 24 hours heading into Monday morning (UTC), Story traded between $1.32 and $1.60, putting its market cap around $461.67 billion and $559.6 billion.

Story (IP) to USDIP was launched in the market in February 2025 at an initial price of $1 per token. Then, it surged to an all-time high of $14.89 on September 22, 2025, before pulling back to the $7 range that same week and to under $1.60 during the 10/10 crash.

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