James Ding
Feb 17, 2026 20:18
The Graph releases comprehensive 2026 technical roadmap expanding beyond subgraphs to serve AI agents, enterprises, and DeFi with new data services on Horizon protocol.
The Graph has released its 2026 technical roadmap, marking a significant pivot from its original subgraph-focused architecture toward a multi-service data infrastructure platform designed to serve developers, AI agents, and institutional clients simultaneously.
The roadmap builds on Horizon, the modular protocol upgrade that went live in December 2025. Where The Graph previously specialized in indexed blockchain queries, the new architecture positions it as a full-stack data layer capable of supporting diverse services within a unified economic and security framework.
Three-Layer Architecture
The roadmap organizes development across protocol, product, and economic layers. At the protocol level, Horizon introduces a core staking mechanism that extends economic security to any data service, a unified payments system handling fees across all services, and a framework for permissionless data service development.
The product layer is where things get interesting for traders watching adoption metrics. Beyond traditional subgraphs, The Graph is rolling out:
AI Integration: Subgraph MCP and A2A integrations will make blockchain data queryable through natural language in tools like Claude, Cursor, and ChatGPT. The x402 protocol enables AI agents to autonomously query the network and pay per-query without requiring setup keys.
Substreams: High-performance, low-latency streaming already adopted by DeFi protocols and financial institutions requiring real-time transaction processing on chains like Base, BSC, and Solana.
Token API: Pre-indexed access to common token data across 10 chains, eliminating the need for custom indexing solutions for wallets, explorers, and analytics platforms.
Tycho: A DeFi-focused initiative tracking liquidity changes across decentralized exchanges with live streaming updates for trading systems and solvers.
Amp: An enterprise-grade blockchain database with SQL access, built-in audit trails, and compliance features targeting regulated financial institutions.
Institutional Push
The roadmap explicitly targets enterprise adoption, citing the DTCC’s Great Collateral Experiment as evidence that major financial institutions are already building with Graph technology. Amp’s features—lineage tracking, audit-ready provenance, and on-premises deployment options—signal a clear play for treasury oversight, risk management, and regulated payment systems.
Economic Changes for GRT Holders
Several mechanisms aim to strengthen GRT utility. The Rewards Eligibility Oracle introduces proof-of-work standards ensuring indexing rewards correlate with actual value delivery rather than passive holding. Indexer Payments (DIPs) create flexible incentive mechanisms for consumers and chains to compensate indexers directly.
GRT bridging has expanded via Chainlink’s CCIP to Arbitrum, Base, and Avalanche, with Solana planned for 2026. A liquid staking initiative targets centralized exchanges to improve delegation accessibility.
2026 Timeline
Q1 brings the Horizon-based Subgraph Service mainnet and Token API production deployment across 10 networks. Q2 delivers the x402-compliant gateway with AI support and public Tycho beta. Q3 sees Substreams mainnet launch and liquid staking rollout. Q4 focuses on Amp’s SQL platform and Horizon-based data service launch.
The fundamental thesis: more data services generate more protocol activity, driving query fees and token burns. Whether that flywheel accelerates depends on whether AI agents and institutions actually show up to use it.
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