Blockchain Meets Cultural Powerhouse as IP Becomes Programmable Asset

Story Protocol, a blockchain infrastructure tailored for tokenizing intellectual property (IP), is gaining momentum in the global creative and technology sectors. The platform recently announced the inclusion of Maggie Kang, the visionary director of Netflix’s record-breaking animation film K-POP DEMON HUNTERS, as a speaker at the Origin Summit 2025 in Seoul. Kang will participate in a fireside conversation on global storytelling and the rise of culturally driven IP, aligning with the summit’s mission to explore the intersection of AI, blockchain, and IP.

Kang’s K-POP DEMON HUNTERS is a landmark project in animation, achieving 236 million views on Netflix within nine weeks of its release. It broke multiple records, including generating eight Billboard Hot 100 hits and securing a 1 single with “Golden.” The film received a 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and marked a new era in global animation by redefining female heroes and integrating distinctly Korean cultural elements. Kang’s experience spans major studios such as DreamWorks and Sony Pictures Animation, where she contributed to franchises like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and The LEGO Ninjago Movie.

The Origin Summit, hosted by Story in collaboration with Blockworks and Hankyung Media Group, is positioned as a premier event for institutional investors, AI builders, and IP holders to explore the programmable IP economy. The summit will take place during Korea Blockchain Week 2025 and will focus on unlocking the $80 trillion IP asset class through blockchain technology. The inclusion of Maggie Kang highlights the growing recognition of IP as a core driver of cultural and economic value, particularly in the digital age where AI and crypto are reshaping asset ownership and revenue models.

Story Protocol’s underlying blockchain technology enables creators to tokenize their IP, setting usage rules and automating revenue sharing through smart contracts. This is a significant shift from traditional IP management, which is often hindered by complex legal frameworks and inefficient revenue distribution. By converting IP into programmable digital assets, Story aims to bridge the gap between outdated systems and the realities of AI-era creation. The platform’s IPFi (IP Finance) ecosystem, which includes DeFi applications for IP licensing and financing, is already seeing adoption by over 200 teams and 20 million IP assets.

The summit will also feature high-profile speakers from the entertainment, finance, and tech industries, including Kyoung In Jung (CEO, The Black Label), Justin Sun (Founder, TRON), and Yat Siu (Co-founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands). This diverse lineup reflects the broad appeal of the programmable IP economy and the convergence of creative and financial assets. Investors and institutions attending the summit will gain insights into how IP can be structured as a tradable, scalable asset class, supported by blockchain infrastructure.

Story Protocol itself has attracted significant venture capital backing, raising $80 million in a Series B round led by a16z Crypto and Polychain Capital. The funding will accelerate the development of its L1 blockchain and expand its ecosystem of IP-related applications. With a post-funding valuation of $2.25 billion, the platform is positioned to become a foundational layer for the next generation of digital content and IP rights.

As the programmable IP economy gains traction, the collaboration between creators like Maggie Kang and platforms like Story is expected to redefine how cultural content is monetized and distributed globally. The convergence of AI, crypto, and IP is not just a technological innovation but a structural shift in how creativity is valued and rewarded. The Origin Summit 2025 will serve as a critical milestone in this evolution, showcasing the potential for IP to become a core asset class in the digital economy.