Story Protocol, a decentralized network originally designed for intellectual property management, rebranded as Data Network on June 25, 2026, marking a strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence training data. The transition includes a 1:1 token migration from IP to DATA and the launch of Trace, an on-chain registry for AI training data, alongside integration with Kled, an opt-in human data marketplace. Data Foundation CEO Andrea Muttoni attributed the shift to market signals from Poseidon, an AI data processing project that raised $15 million from a16z, stating that AI training data emerged as the strongest form of intellectual property demand. The rebrand addresses what Muttoni described as AI labs running out of internet content to scrape, leaving only expensive bespoke data or legally risky undocumented sources. Story Protocol initially focused on building a permissionless intellectual property network before identifying the AI training data opportunity through its 2025 development work.
Data Network Launches Trace Registry and Kled Integration
Data Network aims to connect data processing, sourcing, and verification in one platform. The network launched Trace, an on-chain registry for AI training data, and integrated with Kled, an opt-in human data marketplace. According to Muttoni, Data Network tracks over 1 billion data records with a mission to become the trust layer for AI training data. "The answer became unambiguous: The form of IP pulling hardest was AI training data," Muttoni stated. "Labs have effectively run out of internet to scrape. What remains is either expensive and bespoke, or legally risky and undocumented." Muttoni added that no company currently addresses data processing, sourcing, and verification simultaneously, positioning Data Network to fill this market gap.
IP Token Migrates to DATA in 1:1 Ratio
The Story Protocol token (IP) migrated to the Data Network token (DATA) in a 1:1 ratio as part of the rebrand. The migration requires no action from IP token holders, according to the announcement. The token transition accompanies the network's shift from intellectual property management to AI training data infrastructure.
DATA Token Trades at $0.349 After 14% Daily Gain
DATA was trading at $0.349, representing a 14% increase in the last 24 hours. The token previously traded as high as $14.78 under the IP ticker, reaching its all-time high last September. At the current price, DATA sits nearly 98% below its all-time high. The token rebounded 25% from an all-time low of $0.275 recorded earlier this month. Muttoni stated, "We've made our bet, and are fortunate to have amazing launch partners to validate our product-market fit and shape our product trajectory. Now it's all about scaling and execution."
FAQ
What did Story Protocol announce on June 25, 2026?
Story Protocol rebranded as Data Network on June 25, 2026, shifting its focus from intellectual property management to AI training data infrastructure. The rebrand includes a 1:1 token migration from IP to DATA, the launch of Trace (an on-chain registry for AI training data), and integration with Kled (an opt-in human data marketplace).
Why did Story Protocol pivot to AI training data?
Data Foundation CEO Andrea Muttoni attributed the pivot to market signals from Poseidon, an AI data processing project that raised $15 million from a16z. Muttoni stated that AI training data emerged as the strongest form of intellectual property demand, with AI labs having run out of internet content to scrape and facing only expensive bespoke data or legally risky undocumented sources.
How does the IP to DATA token migration work?
The Story Protocol token (IP) migrates to the Data Network token (DATA) in a 1:1 ratio, requiring no action from IP token holders. DATA was trading at $0.349 after the rebrand, representing a 14% increase in 24 hours but sitting nearly 98% below its all-time high of $14.78 reached last September.
