How AI Agent Launches Are Evolving: The Three-Tier Model Reshaping 2026

The AI agent space has blown up—we're talking $3.8 billion in market cap. But here's the thing: most projects still launch with a generic playbook that doesn't quite fit.

That's shifting. Projects are now experimenting with layered launch strategies that actually make sense. Take the recent approach splitting agent validation, capital allocation, and distribution into separate tiers. Pegasus handles the lightweight phase, Unicorn manages the mid-level scaling, and Titan powers the enterprise-grade deployment.

It's not revolutionary, but it shows the industry is finally moving beyond "one size fits all." The differentiation matters when you're juggling validators, investors, and users all at once. Different roles need different entry points—and the market's figuring that out.