New “Busy Boy” single marks expansion of launch-stage music IP within the Story ecosystemGIG HARBOR, Wash., Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IP Strategy (Nasdaq: IPST) (the “Company”) today issued a statement recognizing Aria Protocol’s partnership with K-pop group RESCENE and The MUZE Entertainment for the release of the new single “Busy Boy,” scheduled for later this month. The release will represent the first newly issued master rights entering Aria’s $APL portfolio at launch stage, signaling growing de ...

Core Insights - IP Strategy has made an initial purchase of Aria Protocol's tokens, specifically $ARIAIP and $APL, as part of its strategy to enhance exposure to high-quality, real-world intellectual property applications built on the Story network [1][2][4] Company Strategy - The acquisition of $ARIAIP and $APL aligns with the company's goal to support ecosystem projects that show real adoption and revenue potential through strategic collaboration and market participation [2][4] - The APL token introduces a new revenue-generating engine for the company, providing yield exposure to music royalty flows, complementing its validator business [3][4] Market Position - The assets acquired provide selective exposure to advanced IP Real World Asset applications, reinforcing the company's core $IP reserves and showcasing the potential of turning intellectual property into liquid, programmable assets [4][5] - The CEO of Aria highlighted that IP Strategy's involvement as a holder of $ARIAIP and $APL signifies confidence in Aria's mission and the convergence of real IP, revenue, and ownership [5][6] Ecosystem Development - The transaction indicates maturity in the ecosystem, commercial adoption, and increasing institutional readiness within the Story-enabled programmable IP economy [6] - Aria Protocol has successfully tokenized music catalogs from globally recognized artists, marking significant progress in the deployment of music royalties on-chain [2][12] Financial Overview - IP Strategy operates as the first Nasdaq-listed company to hold $IP tokens as a primary reserve asset and runs a revenue-generating validator for the Story network, providing investors with exposure to the $80 trillion programmable intellectual property economy [7][11]

Core Insights - The acquisition of $ARIAIP and $APL by IP Strategy signifies a strategic move to enhance exposure to high-quality, real-world IP applications built on the Story network [2][4][5] - Aria Protocol has successfully tokenized music IP from globally recognized artists, showcasing significant commercial traction in the tokenized IP market [2][4][11] - The transaction indicates a maturation of the ecosystem and growing institutional readiness within the programmable IP economy [6] Company Strategy - IP Strategy aims to expand its portfolio by supporting ecosystem projects that demonstrate real adoption and revenue potential through collaboration and market participation [2][4] - The acquisition of $APL introduces a new revenue-generating opportunity for IP Strategy, complementing its existing validator business [3][4] - The company believes that Aria's model exemplifies the transformation of intellectual property into liquid, programmable assets, aligning with its core thesis [4][5] Market Context - The Story network, backed by significant investments, is positioned as a leading infrastructure for tokenized intellectual property, enabling automated licensing and monetization [10] - The successful public token launch by Aria Protocol indicates strong demand for tokenized IP assets, reflecting a growing interest in the sector [5][11] - IP Strategy's treasury reserve of $IP tokens allows for direct participation in the Story ecosystem, which is valued at approximately $80 trillion [7]