The Model Context Protocol team published the 28 July 2026 specification release. Its core exchange can operate without requiring the server to retain session state, while request headers can support routing. Those changes make the protocol easier to place behind distributed service infrastructure.
The release also sharpens capability discovery and security. Tool lists are easier to cache, authorization requirements are more explicit, and extensions have a defined place in the protocol. Compatibility still depends on the version and capabilities that a particular server actually implements.
For Agent Trust Hub, this release provides a new reference point for protocol observations. An endpoint response alone does not prove complete specification support, so service records should keep the observed version, capability, and check time separate.