IP Strategy Transitions to Custodied Staking Model to Boost Yields and Expand Validator Revenue Streams

• IP Strategy transitioned its validator operations to a custodied, long-term staking configuration in December 2025, aiming to increase blended staking yields while maintaining institutional-grade custody and security according to the company's update.
• The company reported key metrics including 99.98% validator uptime, 247,662.50 $IP tokens earned in December, and 913,569.39 $IP tokens in cumulative validator rewards since launch as detailed in their report.
• The dual revenue model—self-staking rewards and commission income—supports a scalable, margin-accretive income stream and aligns with the growing Story ecosystem, which includes projects like Poseidon and Aria according to industry analysis.

IP Strategy (Nasdaq: IPST) has transitioned its validator operations to a custodied staking model, marking a key upgrade in its validator infrastructure. This shift is expected to increase blended staking yields over time while maintaining institutional-grade custody, security, and resilience. The December 2025 results reflect the initial period after the transition, with yield impacts expected to be more visible in subsequent reports as stated in the company's announcement.

The company has staked 39.9 million $IP tokens, generating 913,569.39 $IP tokens in validator rewards and approximately $4.68 million in revenue. The dual revenue model, combining self-staking rewards and commission income from third-party delegations, creates a scalable and recurring income stream. This model is expected to support long-term network activity and demand for the $IP token as the Story ecosystem matures according to financial reports.

The Story ecosystem has seen notable progress in AI-native data infrastructure and real-world IP tokenization, with projects like Poseidon and Aria driving innovation. These developments are expected to increase the utility and demand for the $IP token as the ecosystem matures. IP Strategy plans to continue monthly updates on validator performance and ecosystem growth to maintain transparency with investors as reported.

What Is IP Strategy's Validator Business Model?

IP Strategy's validator business model combines self-staking rewards and commission income from delegators. This dual revenue structure is designed to generate on-chain yield through transaction validation and to earn rewards in $IP tokens based on stake weight and uptime. The custodied, long-term staking model is expected to increase blended yields while ensuring institutional-grade custody according to the company's update.

Since transitioning to the new model in December 2025, the company's validator has maintained near-perfect uptime since its launch on September 18, 2025. At an estimated blended yield of 5.64%, IP Strategy projects potential annual revenues of $3.78 million at a token price of $1.68, with gross margins above 90%

as detailed in their financial report.

How Does the Story Ecosystem Support Validator Yields?

The Story ecosystem has seen progress in AI-native data infrastructure and real-world IP tokenization, with projects like Poseidon and Aria driving growth. These developments are expected to increase the utility and demand for the $IP token, supporting long-term network activity and validator yields. The ecosystem's maturation is a key factor in the success of the dual revenue model and the scalability of the validator business according to industry analysis.

Projects such as Poseidon and Aria highlight key developments in data sourcing and on-chain music asset creation. These initiatives are expected to enhance the value proposition of the Story ecosystem and attract more participants, including delegators and developers. As the ecosystem grows, so does the potential for increased validator rewards and token demand according to the company's update.

What Are the Financial and Strategic Implications for IP Strategy?

IP Strategy's transition to a custodied staking model and the associated dual revenue stream is expected to create a scalable, recurring income stream with high gross margins. This financial model is aligned with the growth of the Story ecosystem and the increasing utility of the $IP token. The company's validator business is projected to generate annual revenues of $3.78 million at a token price of $1.68 as reported in financial analysis.

The financial performance of the validator business is also influenced by factors such as token price, network activity, and ecosystem adoption. As the Story ecosystem continues to develop, IP Strategy's validator business is positioned to benefit from increased demand for the $IP token and higher staking yields. The company's focus on institutional-grade custody and security further enhances its appeal to investors and delegators according to industry reports.