TL;DR
- Idea: A decentralized data infrastructure combining an EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain with a novel Confidential Data Rails protocol to enable secure, auditable, and programmable transfer of rights-cleared real-world data for AI training and applications.
- Catalyst: Rebrand to Data Network and listing on major exchanges within the past week, combined with strong tech novelty and backing from reputable VCs.
- Risks: Early-stage Layer 1 project with technical complexity, low liquidity, dependency on TEE security, and nascent adoption in a competitive DePIN landscape.
- Score: 7.00/ 10
Coin
- Name/ Ticker: Data Network (DATA)
- Segment: Layer 1/ DePIN/ AI infrastruct
- Status: active
- Price: $0.304200
Key Metrics
- Market Cap: $107 112 066
- FDV: $309 403 390
- Circulating Supply: 398 489 619
- Total Supply: 1 030 153 738
- Inflation: 0.00%
Sources
Technology
- USP: Decentralized Data Network combining EVM Layer-2, DePIN, community-driven mining and validation to power AI agents
- Core Technology: EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain using CometBFT consensus and Confidential Data Rails (CDR) protocol for secure, programmable, and confidential on-chain data transfer
Roadmap
- 2026-06-01: Whitepaper v0.2 Release
- 2026-06-26: Rebrand from Story Protocol to Data Network
- 2026-06-30: Listing on Major Exchanges
Team & Investors
Team
- Co-founder & CEO — SY Lee:
- Chief Technology Officer — Leo Chen:
- Chief Product Officer — Andrea Muttoni:
- Head of Security — Raúl MartÃnez:
- VP of Marketing — Shazia Hasan:
Investors
- Yupp — Seed • 2024-05-01 • $33.00M
- Andreessen Horowitz — Series A • 2024-08-21
- Polychain Capital — Series A • 2024-08-21
- Pantera Capital — Seed • 2024-05-01
- Multicoin Capital — Seed • 2024-05-01
Total funding: $33.00M
Tokenomics
- Utility: Token is used for staking, governance, and payment of data licensing and protocol fees on the Data Network
- Next Unlock: 2026-08-13 (0.00% of circulating)
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- First-mover DePIN protocol for AI data provenance
- EVM Layer 2 offers high compatibility and low fees
- Robust CometBFT consensus with TEE-based Confidential Data Rails
- Sub-$300 M market cap with strong VC backing
- Modular architecture supports dynamic access control and programmability
- Active listing on top CEXs within 7 days
- Low circulating supply unlock gives upward potential
- Governance token aligns incentives with data providers and consumers
- Open-source code development visible on GitHub
- Real-world use through Trace audit platform
Weaknesses
- Complex technical stack may slow developer adoption
- Security depends on integrity of TEEs
- Low liquidity could lead to high slippage
- Competes with entrenched storage and data networks
- Regulatory uncertainty around data privacy and licensing
- Early stage; limited mainnet activity and adoption
- Token price has already dropped 98% from ATH, signalling potential market skepticism
- Vesting schedule delays new liquidity until August 2026
- Reliance on a single core dev team (PIP Labs)
- Unproven at large scale with no major enterprise deployments yet
Market Signals (7d)
- TVL trend: decreasing
- CEX volume trend: decreasing
Price Scenarios (target: 2027-01-06)
- Bear: $0.150000 — Assuming 50% of current price to account for adoption delays and market downturn
- Base: $0.304200 — Current price as base scenario without major adoption changes
- Bull: $0.608400 — Assuming 200% of current price under successful adoption and network growth
How to Buy & Store
CEX
- OKX
- Coinbase Exchange
- Gate
- BitMart
- Bithumb
DEX
- Uniswap
- SushiSwap
- PancakeSwap
- QuickSwap
- Balancer
Storage
- Ledger Nano S
- Trezor Model T
- MetaMask
- Trust Wallet
- Coinbase Wallet
Verdict
Data Network offers a novel DePIN and AI data protocol with strong technology and VC support, but faces significant adoption, liquidity, and technical risks.
Official Links
Source: Coin Research (internal)
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