Blockchain Joins Forces with Cultural Giants, Transforming IP into Programmable Assets

Story Protocol, a blockchain platform designed for the tokenization of intellectual property (IP), is experiencing rapid adoption among creative professionals and technology innovators worldwide. The project recently revealed that Maggie Kang, director of Netflix’s blockbuster animated feature K-POP DEMON HUNTERS, will join the Origin Summit 2025 in Seoul as a featured speaker. Kang will engage in a fireside chat centered on international storytelling and the expanding influence of culturally inspired IP, in line with the summit’s focus on the convergence of AI, blockchain, and intellectual property.

Kang’s K-POP DEMON HUNTERS stands out as a milestone in the animation industry, drawing 236 million views on

during its first nine weeks. The film shattered numerous records, including producing eight tracks on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving a number one spot with “Golden.” It earned a 97% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and signaled a new chapter in global animation by redefining female protagonists and infusing unique elements of Korean culture. Kang’s career includes work at leading studios such as DreamWorks and Pictures Animation, where she contributed to notable series like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and The LEGO Ninjago Movie.

The Origin Summit, organized by Story in partnership with Blockworks and Hankyung Media Group, positions itself as a leading conference for institutional investors, AI innovators, and IP stakeholders to explore the programmable IP landscape. Set during Korea Blockchain Week 2025, the event will highlight the potential of blockchain to unlock the $80 trillion IP asset market. Maggie Kang’s participation underscores the rising importance of IP as a fundamental driver of culture and economic growth, especially as AI and crypto transform asset management and income generation in the digital era.

Story Protocol’s blockchain foundation empowers creators to convert their IP into digital tokens, define usage policies, and automate royalty payments through smart contracts. This approach marks a departure from conventional IP management, which often suffers from legal complexities and inefficient revenue flows. By transforming IP into programmable assets, Story seeks to close the gap between legacy processes and the demands of AI-powered creative industries. The platform’s IPFi (IP Finance) ecosystem, offering DeFi solutions for IP licensing and funding, has already been adopted by more than 200 teams and encompasses 20 million IP assets.

The summit will also bring together prominent figures from entertainment, finance, and technology, including Kyoung In Jung (CEO, The Black Label), Justin Sun (Founder, TRON), and Yat Siu (Co-founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands). This varied roster demonstrates the wide-ranging interest in programmable IP and the merging of creative and financial sectors. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how blockchain infrastructure can transform IP into a scalable, tradable class of assets.

Story Protocol has secured considerable venture investment, most recently raising $80 million in a Series B funding round led by a16z Crypto and Polychain Capital. These resources will speed up the development of its proprietary L1 blockchain and broaden its suite of IP-focused applications. With a valuation of $2.25 billion post-funding, Story Protocol is poised to serve as a critical foundation for the future of digital content creation and IP management.

As programmable IP becomes more mainstream, collaborations between creatives like Maggie Kang and platforms like Story are set to reshape the way cultural works are commercialized and distributed around the world. The integration of AI, blockchain, and IP represents more than just a technological breakthrough—it signals a fundamental change in how creative contributions are recognized and compensated. The Origin Summit 2025 will mark a pivotal moment in this journey, highlighting the transformation of IP into a major asset class in the digital economy.