Story Mainnet Launch Approaching: Which Tokens Are Worth HODLing?

Original Article Title: Tell Your Stories Through Story
Original Article Author: Defi0xJeff, Founder of Steak Studio
Original Article Translation: Ashley, BlockBeats

Editor's Note: The Story Protocol is reshaping Intellectual Property (IP) management in the Web3 era, empowering creators with greater control through decentralized registration, authorization, and monetization. This article outlines the core concepts of the Story ecosystem and highlights key projects, demonstrating how it makes IP tradable and collaborative.

The following is the original content (slightly reorganized for readability):

In 1935, "Happy Birthday to You" was widely believed to have entered the public domain—until it was proven otherwise. The Hill sisters had actually registered a copyright for it, which was later acquired by Warner/Chappell Music, who then charged hefty royalties for its use in movies, TV, and even public birthday parties. In 2013, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Nelson, while filming "Happy Birthday," formally challenged this copyright.

Fast forward to 2018, Match Group (Tinder's parent company) sued Bumble, accusing it of copying Tinder's iconic swipe matching mechanism. Bumble, founded by former Tinder employees, counter-sued, claiming Match Group was trying to acquire them through intimidation tactics. The core dispute? Who owned the "swipe right" feature.

By 2021, MSCHF released 666 custom-pairs of Nike Air Max 97, named "Satan Shoes," featuring satanic symbols, human blood in the soles, and a tie-in with Lil Nas X's "Montero" music video. Nike promptly sued, even though MSCHF was independently customized, the shoe's design was still based on Nike's registered trademark, Air Max.

Regardless of how these cases concluded, imagine if all these IPs were registered on @StoryProtocol, how would the situation be different? Story can ensure fair ownership, simplify authorization processes, and create a more collaborative ecosystem.

More importantly, it can transform these IPs into tradable assets, allowing creators to seamlessly monetize their work while respecting the original intent.

What is Story?

To gain a deep understanding of all the concepts, we recommend reading the whitepaper. But in short, Story provides:

Programmable IP

The Story Protocol allows creators to register their intellectual property on the blockchain, making it "programmable." This means that IP rights, licensing terms, and monetization rules can be encoded into smart contracts, enabling automated licensing and royalty distribution.

Example: As a creator, you can set specific conditions, such as allowing the community to issue meme coins based on that IP, but [x]% of the token supply must be allocated to the original creator. These conditions will be automatically enforced by smart contracts, ensuring fair distribution and compliance without intermediaries.

Tokenization of IP Assets

Story enhances the liquidity of intellectual property by putting it on-chain and tokenizing it. Story ensures that any IP asset can always be licensed, traded, and monetized while maintaining legal protection and ownership. This approach can securitize the value of IP, unlocking new opportunities for IP holders, investors, and global fans.

Story also incorporates a PT/YT mechanism similar to @pendle_fi, separating IP ownership (NFT representation) from cash flow/royalty income streams. This separation provides greater flexibility in managing and monetizing IP assets. Interestingly, there are projects in the market similar to Pendle that tokenize royalty income rights, allowing investors to bet on future royalty income.

Before introducing the core protocol, it is important to note that Story's ecosystem is becoming one of the most attractive tracks of this cycle. With a diverse range of use cases and strategic partnerships, Story L1 may host a set of heavyweight intellectual properties, including chart-topping songs by global top artists, a massive IP universe co-created by the community (perhaps challenging "Star Wars"), AI-generated IP ecosystems, etc.

Popular Story Ecosystem Projects

Aria

IP Tokenization + RWAs (Real World Assets) = Super Combo

Aria is putting A-list IPs such as Justin Bieber's "Peaches" on-chain, allowing anyone to invest in or build on their favorite songs, books, movies, artworks, patents, brands, AI training data—virtually any asset.

Currently, Aria has tokenized two IPs, including Miley Cyrus & Dua Lipa's "Prisoner".

These IPs are part of Aria's collaboration with @Stake_Stone in the Aria Premiere Launch, which raised $7 million in 9 minutes. The funds were used to acquire over 50 partial publishing and performance rights, generating revenue through Web2 royalties, Story, Aria, and StakeStone.

Market rumors suggest that a top-tier Korean idol brand (starting with B) may be the next acquisition target.

IPdotWorld

Remember Chill Guy and the $CHILLGUY meme coin he was anonymously airdropped on in CT? The original creator, "Philip Banks," tried to enforce his rights but ultimately failed.

That's where @ipdotworld comes in—it provides a platform to bind meme coins with real intellectual property. When meme coins are minted, a certain percentage of the supply is reserved for validated IP holders, ensuring creators receive their due.

Verio

@verio_story is the $IP staking layer/IP verification service in the Story ecosystem.

By staking $IP, users can vouch for the authenticity of assets, helping filter out fraudulent IP claims. Similar to Ethereum's restaking mechanism, $IP staking leverages a cryptoeconomic trust model to validate intellectual property.

$vIP (LST Version) is similar to stETH and can be used in the Story ecosystem's DeFi system.

Jutsu World

@JutsuTCG is an on-chain card game in the Story ecosystem, utilizing an enhanced ERC404, providing a dynamic restaking mechanism to enhance the gaming experience.

Projects Soon to Release Tokens/NFTs on Story Mainnet

Benjamin / Unleashed

@BenjaminOnIp is the first DeFAI agent in the Story ecosystem, aiming to be the gateway to DeFi in the Story ecosystem.

Managed by @UnleashProtocol, the protocol is a leading money market and IP launchpad in the Story ecosystem.

Unleash Protocol plans to evolve the AI agent into personalized IP characters, not just mascots or memes, possibly interacting based on prototypes such as Thomas Shelby or Steve Jobs.

Benjamin is set to have a token launch on @FjordFoundry, expected to go live within 24 hours.

What the Freg

@WhatTheFreg is the first AI agent meme coin in the Story ecosystem, leveraging Story's TCP/IP standard (Story ecosystem allows for the trading of IP between AI agents protocol).

It is the arch-nemesis of Pepe, aiming to challenge counterfeit meme culture in Web3.

SoloAI

@SoloAI_Agent, supported by @sequoia, is an AI-driven music creation platform that enables everyone to easily create music without the need for a professional background.

Mimboku

@mimboku_story is a top-tier NFT project in the Story ecosystem (similar to Bit Bears on @berachain).

This will be the first OG-level collectibles series within the Story ecosystem, with the "possibility" of receiving airdrops and incentives from other projects.

The minting date is yet to be determined but is expected shortly after the Story mainnet launch.

If you actively participate in Discord discussions, or create high-quality content/memes/artwork, you still have a chance to get on the whitelist (WL).

Summary

The Story ecosystem is becoming one of the most exciting innovations in Web3. Whether it's music, memes, AI, or trading cards, Story is building a programmable, liquidity-rich IP economy that empowers creators to control their future.

The Story mainnet is about to launch, so stay tuned!

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