Whales Stake Big Bets on $IP's AI-Driven Surge to $14.92 ATH

Story Protocol’s native token $IP has surged to an all-time high of $14.92, marking a 45% weekly gain and outperforming broader cryptocurrency markets, which saw a 2% decline in total capitalization. The token’s price trajectory has been fueled by a confluence of technical indicators, rising on-chain activity, and significant whale accumulations, sparking speculation about the sustainability of its bullish momentum.

Technical analysis highlights robust buying pressure, with the Directional Movement Index (DMI) showing a +DMI of 36.09 versus a -DMI of 9.99, underscoring dominant buyer sentiment. The Average Directional Index (ADX) has also climbed above 25, indicating a strengthening uptrend. Open Interest (OI) on derivatives markets reached a record $169.57 million, signaling heightened trader engagement. Additionally, the On-Balance Volume (OBV) for $IP surged 20% since September 16, validating sustained capital inflows and accumulation. These metrics collectively suggest that the rally is driven by real demand rather than speculative spikesCan the Story (IP) Token Hit $12 ATH in 2025? Price Analysis^[1].

Whale activity has further amplified bullish signals. On-chain data reveals two major accumulations totaling over $7.4 million within a 15-minute window, with addresses 0x385D and 0xE0e6 acquiring 857,192 and 814,523 $IP tokens, respectively. Such concentrated buying by large holders is often interpreted as a high-conviction signal, potentially indicating confidence in the token’s future price trajectory.

Derivatives markets reinforce the optimism, with a long/short ratio of 1.01 at press time, showing that traders are increasingly opening long positions. This aligns with spot market dynamics, where buyers dominated after a week of consolidation, evidenced by a positive Buy-Sell Delta of 8.58k. On-chain metrics also reflect renewed network utility, with daily transactions surging to 333,000—the highest in five months—and active addresses rising to 9,200.

However, analysts caution that volatility remains a key risk. While $IP’s price could test $12.25 support levels in the event of profit-taking or broader market deterioration, sustained demand across futures, spot, and on-chain activity positions the token to challenge its $14.92 peak. The token’s performance is also tied to its ecosystem’s growth, with liquid staking platforms like Verio reporting $25 million in TVL and 5 million IP tokens locked, reinforcing the narrative of IP as a programmable asset for intellectual property (IP) rights.

The convergence of AI and IP tokenization has added another layer of intrigue. Platforms like Poseidon, incubated by Story Protocol, are leveraging real-world data for AI applications, while Verio’s staking model aims to decentralize IP verification. These developments could enhance $IP’s utility beyond speculative trading, potentially attracting institutional adoption and long-term holders.