The Graph Unveils 2026 Roadmap Targeting AI Agents and Institutions

The Graph recently announced its 2026 technical roadmap, signaling a shift from its previous subgraph-centric approach to a more diversified data infrastructure platform. This new platform aims to cater to developers, AI agents, and institutional clients simultaneously.

Revolving around Horizon, the modular protocol upgrade launched in December 2025, The Graph’s roadmap signifies a departure from its previous focus on indexed blockchain queries. The new architecture positions The Graph as a comprehensive data layer capable of supporting a variety of services within a unified economic and security framework.

Three-Layer Architecture

The roadmap is structured around protocol, product, and economic layers. Horizon introduces a core staking mechanism at the protocol level, extending economic security to all data services. It also implements a unified payments system and a framework for permissionless data service development.

On the product front, The Graph is introducing several new features:

• AI Integration: Enabling blockchain data queries through natural language using tools like Claude, Cursor, and ChatGPT.
• Substreams: High-performance, low-latency streaming for real-time transaction processing on various chains.
• Token API: Pre-indexed access to common token data across multiple chains.
• Tycho: A DeFi-focused initiative for tracking liquidity changes across decentralized exchanges.
• Amp: An enterprise-grade blockchain database targeting regulated financial institutions.

Institutional Adoption

The roadmap emphasizes enterprise adoption, with major financial institutions already leveraging Graph technology. Features like lineage tracking and compliance tools in Amp target treasury oversight and regulated payment systems.

Economic Enhancements for GRT Holders

Several mechanisms are introduced to enhance GRT utility, including the Rewards Eligibility Oracle and Indexer Payments (DIPs). GRT bridging has expanded, and a liquid staking initiative targets centralized exchanges.

2026 Timeline

Q1 focuses on the mainnet launch of the Horizon-based Subgraph Service and Token API production deployment. Q2 brings the x402-compliant gateway with AI support and the public Tycho beta. Q3 sees the launch of Substreams mainnet and the rollout of liquid staking. Q4 is dedicated to Amp’s SQL platform and the Horizon-based data service launch.

The overarching goal is to increase protocol activity through more data services, ultimately driving query fees and token burns. The success of this strategy hinges on the adoption by AI agents and institutions.

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