The Graph

**Infrastructure operates best when invisible.** Every wallet balance check, DeFi transaction display, and app query relies on data infrastructure working silently behind the scenes. - The Graph has processed **trillions of queries** without fanfare - When infrastructure functions properly, users never notice it - When it fails, everything stops working This is the paradox of foundational technology: **success means obscurity.** The most critical systems are the ones we take for granted—until they're gone.

**The Graph has launched ERC-8004 Subgraphs across 8 blockchains**, creating a unified cross-chain directory for AI agent verification. **What ERC-8004 registers for AI agents:** - Identity (who they are) - Reputation (track record of behavior) - Validation (proof of correct task execution) **How it works:** An agent on Base can instantly verify the reputation of an agent on Arbitrum by querying a Subgraph. Without this infrastructure, every agent would need to scan raw blockchain data to check credentials, which would significantly slow down the network. This deployment provides the data layer that enables AI agents to function onchain at scale, working alongside payment rails like Coinbase's x402 for instant micropayments.

As blockchain technology evolves, three major trends are converging around a single infrastructure need: - **Faster block times** across major chains require more efficient data indexing - **Institutional adoption** demands auditable, reliable blockchain data - **AI agents** need structured information to execute autonomous actions The Graph is positioning itself as the common solution to these challenges, providing the data infrastructure layer that enables: - Real-time access to blockchain information - Structured data formats for AI consumption - Auditable records for institutional compliance This convergence suggests data infrastructure may become as critical as the blockchains themselves, with The Graph serving as the connective tissue between chains, institutions, and autonomous agents.

The Graph has published an educational piece exploring **x402 and ERC8004**, emerging token standards in the Ethereum ecosystem. These experimental standards represent ongoing efforts to expand token functionality beyond traditional ERC-20 and ERC-721 formats. The article breaks down: - Technical specifications of x402 and ERC8004 - How these standards differ from existing token types - Potential use cases for developers - Implementation considerations The piece follows previous community interest in experimental token standards like ERC-404, which attempted to combine fungible and non-fungible token properties. [Read the full explanation](https://thegraph.com/blog/understanding-x402-erc8004/)

Substreams Sink SQL now supports delta updates, improving how onchain data pipelines handle aggregations. **Key improvements:** - Aggregation logic moves to Postgres, reducing Substreams processing load - Enables native, incremental SQL operations (counts, sums, volumes) - Keeps data pipelines lighter and faster This update allows developers to perform database-level aggregations directly in Postgres rather than in Substreams modules. The change streamlines data processing by leveraging SQL's native capabilities for incremental calculations, making it easier to track metrics like transaction counts and trading volumes without additional overhead.

**Block times are accelerating across major networks.** Solana, Base, and other L2s now push sub-second blocks, creating new demands for data infrastructure. **The challenge:** Traditional indexing solutions struggle to keep pace with: - Faster block production - Traders relying on partial blocks - Real-time data requirements **Substreams' approach:** - Processes blocks immediately as validating nodes make them available - Streams transformed data in real-time - Uses parallel execution to handle massive data chunks simultaneously - Connects directly to Firehose for complete data capture The shift to sub-second blocks represents a fundamental change in blockchain infrastructure requirements, moving beyond traditional one-block-at-a-time processing methods.

**The Graph now indexes over 80 blockchain networks**, establishing itself as a comprehensive data layer for the multichain ecosystem. **Key networks supported include:** - Ethereum, Solana, Base, Avalanche - Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Optimism, Polygon - Unichain and dozens more **The protocol enables developers to access blockchain data across all these networks through a single, unified interface** - eliminating the need to build separate integrations for each chain. This expansion represents significant growth from the 70+ chains supported in late 2024, reinforcing The Graph's position as essential infrastructure for multichain development.

**The Graph is live at Solana Breakpoint Abu Dhabi** (Dec 11-13), actively connecting with builders and development teams. The protocol is focusing on three key areas: - **Data reliability** solutions - **Data access** infrastructure - **AI agents** integration The Graph team is available for project discussions and collaboration opportunities with Solana ecosystem builders. This follows their earlier announcement about bringing enhanced data indexing and infrastructure capabilities to the Solana network.

**The Graph reveals its true nature** - not just software, but a **human-powered network** of operators working together daily. - Indexers coordinate through Discord, forums, and on-chain interactions - These operators keep apps running and AI agents fed with reliable data - **Infrastructure work isn't glamorous**, but it's what enables web3 to scale Nick's early experience at The Graph gave him front-row access to understanding indexing. The key insight most people miss: **The Graph succeeds because of its community**, not just its technology. While infrastructure may lack romance, it provides the **predictable data layer** that web3 desperately needs to grow beyond experimental use cases.

The Graph has released a **migration guide** for developers looking to transition from Alchemy's centralized APIs to The Graph's decentralized subgraph solution. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for: - Moving from hosted services to subgraphs - Accessing blockchain data through The Graph's protocol - Leveraging new subgraph features This migration path offers developers an alternative to centralized data providers, enabling direct access to organized blockchain data through The Graph's decentralized network. [View the migration guide](https://thegraph.com/docs/en/resources/migration-guides/migrate-from-alchemy/)