Layer 1 blockchain Story Protocol postponed $IP’s first major unlock to August 2026, aiming to slow supply growth amid weak market conditions and align incentives with its community.
Story Protocol has delayed the first major unlock of its $IP token from February 2026 to August 2026, affecting team, investor, and early contributor allocations. The change, enforced via an automated smart contract, keeps the total supply at 1 billion and individual allocations intact, but postpones when locked tokens enter circulation. The $IP token, valued around $500 million with less than $100 in daily on-chain revenue, has dropped roughly 32% in the past month, underperforming the broader market. Story stated the move is designed to introduce liquidity more gradually, strengthen network economics, and respond to weak market conditions.