a16z-backed DATA has unveiled a new blockchain strategy centered on verifying AI training data, following its $30 million deal with Sui. The company, formerly known as Story, is positioning the pivot as a continuation of its first rebrand rather than another directional shift. The strategy grew from DATA's experience with Poseidon, an AI data incubation project that exposed widespread issues in dataset provenance. Muttoni revealed that vendors sometimes offered supposedly exclusive datasets that were already available elsewhere, noting "we were at one point given our own dataset back to us." DATA now addresses this through Trace, a product creating verifiable receipts for uploaded files including submission timestamps, contributor terms, and licensing events. Partner marketplace Kled drives much of the activity, adding 3 to 4 million daily contributions to the platform. Existing investors including a16z crypto remain involved, though Muttoni did not disclose how much of Story's original $140 million funding remains.