Mainnet Launch Timeline (Updated as of Late 2025)
Kite’s team has been tight-lipped about exact dates, but here’s a breakdown of the phased rollout that’s not widely publicized:
- Q1 2026: Mainnet Phase 1 ( "Takeoff" ) – The core network will go live with basic agent functionality: Agent Passport creation, x402 payments, and subnet deployment for small-scale AI projects. Only whitelisted developers and partners will have access initially to stress-test the system.
- Q2 2026: Mainnet Phase 2 ( "Cruise" ) – Public access will open, along with the launch of the KITE token on major exchanges (rumored to include Coinbase and Binance). The team will also activate the PoAI consensus fully, replacing the testnet’s temporary PoS mechanism.
- Q3 2026: Mainnet Phase 3 ( "Expand" ) – Integration with Web2 platforms (PayPal, Shopify, etc.) will go live globally. New features like cross-subnet agent communication and decentralized storage for agent data will also be released.
- Q4 2026: Mainnet Phase 4 ( "Optimize" ) – Focus on scaling and cost reduction, with the goal of handling 100 million+ agent transactions per day. The team will also launch a grant program for developers building agent-based solutions.
Specific Industry Use Cases in Development
While most people associate Kite with "general AI agents," there are targeted use cases that are already being tested on the testnet:
1. Retail & E-Commerce
A major US-based fashion brand is building an autonomous shopping agent on Kite that can:
- Track price fluctuations across 50+ online stores in real time
- Use the user’s budget and style preferences to make purchases automatically
- Return items if they don’t match the description, with payments and refunds handled via x402
- The agent already processed $2.3 million in test transactions on the Ozone Testnet.
2. Telecommunications
Vodafone is testing AI agents on Kite to manage prepaid mobile accounts for 1 million+ users in Africa:
- Agents top up airtime automatically when balance is low, using local stablecoins
- They negotiate better data plans based on usage patterns
- They report network outages directly to Vodafone’s support system, reducing response time by 60%
3. Transportation & Ride-Hailing
A Southeast Asian ride-hailing startup is building agent-to-agent communication on Kite:
- Driver agents and rider agents negotiate fares based on traffic, demand, and vehicle type
- Payments are settled instantly after the ride, with no middleman fees
- The system already handled 450,000 test rides in Indonesia and Vietnam.
4. Healthcare
A European medical tech company is developing an AI agent that helps patients manage chronic conditions:
- The agent tracks medication schedules and orders refills from pharmacies via Kite
- It shares data with doctors’ agents in real time (with patient consent)
- It pays for medical services and claims insurance automatically, reducing administrative work by 75%.
