Story delays token unlock until August 2026; co-founders respond: AI data and IP networks require a longer development cycle

February 9 News, Story co-founder SY Lee responded in an interview with CoinDesk regarding the project’s decision to delay the unlocking of its first major IP token to August 2026, stating that this decision is not a stopgap measure driven by market pressure, but rather to give the network and ecosystem “the time needed for true maturity.”

The delay of approximately six months means that tokens for the team and early investors will remain locked. SY Lee said that Story has shifted from a general IP registration platform to a data licensing network aimed at AI training, with core value not in short-term on-chain revenue but in the compliant circulation of long-term intellectual property and AI data.

Currently, Story’s on-chain revenue performance is weak. Data shows that its daily income once reached about $43,000 in September 2025, but now it is close to zero. In response, SY Lee explained that most expected earnings come from off-chain licensing agreements rather than gas fees, and measuring solely by on-chain revenue is not accurate.

He cited Worldcoin’s extension of its token lock-up period as an example, noting that a longer vesting cycle helps reduce short-term selling pressure and signals a long-term commitment to the market. “If it were just about profit, we would choose a shorter lock-up period,” he emphasized.

Currently, Story’s focus is on establishing verifiable property rights and usage terms for datasets and content used to train AI models, embedding revenue-sharing mechanisms through smart contracts. The project has shifted its emphasis from media content and collectibles to “uncatchable” human-generated data, such as multilingual voice samples and first-person videos, which are more scarce for AI developers.

However, this model also means that revenue visualization will be further delayed. SY Lee believes this is similar to traditional internet startups, which require years to validate a complete business cycle. For token holders, the short-term supply growth will slow down, but the project still needs to deliver results in AI data collaboration and licensing.

Whether a sustainable model can be established remains to be seen over time, but SY Lee insists that extending the lock-up period is healthier than recklessly releasing liquidity during a market downturn. Story has chosen a more patient, long-term path.