The startup is retiring its own blockchain and moving to Sui with a $30 million investment as it narrows its focus to AI training data.
Finance How a16z-backed DATA is rethinking its blockchain strategy after $30 million Sui deal The startup is retiring its own blockchain and moving to Sui with a $30 million investment as it narrows its focus to AI training data. By Helene Braun | Edited by Aoyon Ashraf Updated Oct 21, 2026, 11:24 a.m. EDT Published Oct 21, 2026, 11:22 a.m. EDT 4 min read Make preferred on Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Make preferred on DATA CEO Andrea Muttoni (Source: DATA) Summary Show DATA shifted from its broad intellectual property ambitions to AI training data after finding that established licensing markets were difficult to disrupt, CEO Andrea Muttoni told CoinDesk. The startup is moving to Sui following a $30 million investment from Sui Foundation, allowing the company to focus on its data verification tools rather than maintaining its own blockchain. DATA’s Trace registry tracks the origins, consent terms and licensing history of AI training data, with partner Kled adding millions of contributions each day.