Update on The Graph Protocol

Ethereum developers face significant challenges when fetching balance data and token metadata. Current methods require **too many eth_calls**, complex code parsing, and extensive caching systems. These processes are: - Slow and time-consuming - Expensive to implement - Prone to errors The development community needs **more efficient solutions** to access blockchain data without the current technical overhead and costs.

**The Graph is positioning itself as critical infrastructure for the emerging AI agent economy.** The protocol is developing new standards to help AI agents access on-demand blockchain data efficiently. This addresses a key bottleneck as autonomous agents need instant, reliable data feeds to operate effectively. **Key developments:** - New standards from Graph core developer @edgeandnode - Focus on scalable data and payment infrastructure - Real-world implementation by CreatorBid, which eliminated infrastructure overhead and reduced costs The integration allows AI agents to access real-time blockchain data without managing complex infrastructure themselves. This could accelerate adoption of autonomous agents in web3 applications. As the agent economy grows, reliable data access becomes increasingly important for agent functionality and decision-making.

**Sonic Testnet 2.1 is now live** with immediate support from The Graph in Subgraph Studio. Developers can now: - Build subgraphs on the Sonic network - Create fast, performant frontends for their dapps - Access organized blockchain data through The Graph's protocol The integration allows Sonic developers to leverage The Graph's data indexing capabilities to build more efficient applications. **Get started building** with Sonic Testnet data through [The Graph Studio](https://thegraph.com/studio/).

**ETHGlobal New Delhi** has concluded with The Graph announcing winners across three bounty categories totaling **$10,000** in prizes. **Best Use of The Graph Token API, Substreams, or AI MCPs** ($5,000 total): - **1st Place**: Hide&Seek - Privacy analysis tool using onchain knowledge graphs ($3,000) - **2nd Place**: Robin Hood DAO - Privacy-focused redistribution project ($2,000) **Best Application Built on Hypergraph** ($4,000 total): - **1st Place**: ECHONET - DePIN rewarding real-world sound data providers ($2,500) - **2nd Place**: Autonome - Decentralized autonomy layers on Hypergraph ($1,500) **Best Use of GRC-20-ts Library** ($1,000 total): - **Winner**: AutomationX - AI-powered DeFi automation on Bitcoin's Rootstock ($1,000) The hackathon showcased innovative applications leveraging blockchain data infrastructure, from privacy tools to decentralized physical infrastructure networks.

The future of AI and blockchain integration isn't about building better APIs or interfaces. Instead, the focus is shifting toward **making blockchains natively speak the language that AI systems already understand**. This approach suggests a fundamental change in how these technologies will interact: - Rather than forcing AI to adapt to blockchain protocols - Blockchains will evolve to communicate in AI-native formats - This could eliminate the need for complex translation layers The concept points toward a more seamless integration where AI agents can directly interact with blockchain networks without requiring specialized APIs or middleware. This represents a **paradigm shift** from current approaches that rely on building bridges between the two technologies.