# Model Context Protocol (MCP) Explained

> Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Agent Tool Use Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that defines how foundation‑model (FM)–based AI agents discover, describe,…

- **Canonical:** https://agentflare.org/research/model-context-protocol-mcp-explained.html
- **Updated:** 2026-06-23
- **Category:** research
- **Full structured data:** `/research/model-context-protocol-mcp-explained.data.json` — $0.02 via AISA HTTP 402 (https://esa.aisa.one/api/v1/access/verify; agents set crawlerAutoPrice=true)

## Key data

- **Topic:** agent-economy
- **Sources:** 10
- **Updated:** 2026-06-23

# Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Agent Tool Use

_…full analysis and the complete dataset are available to agents for $0.02 — fetch `/research/model-context-protocol-mcp-explained.data.json` (HTTP 402)._

## Sources

1. [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/agent-framework/agents/tools/hosted-mcp-tools](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/agent-framework/agents/tools/hosted-mcp-tools)
2. [https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-is-model-context-protocol](https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-is-model-context-protocol)
3. [https://stytch.com/blog/model-context-protocol-introduction/](https://stytch.com/blog/model-context-protocol-introduction/)
4. [https://github.com/JoshuaC215/agent-service-toolkit/discussions/148](https://github.com/JoshuaC215/agent-service-toolkit/discussions/148)
5. [https://arxiv.org/html/2602.14878v1](https://arxiv.org/html/2602.14878v1)
6. [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTyBKtGDSZM/](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTyBKtGDSZM/)
7. [https://blog.modelcontextprotocol.io/posts/2026-07-28-release-candidate/](https://blog.modelcontextprotocol.io/posts/2026-07-28-release-candidate/)
8. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Fr2JR47KA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Fr2JR47KA)
9. [Model context protocol (MCP) - OpenAI Agents SDK](https://openai.github.io/openai-agents-python/mcp)
10. [[2508.07575] MCPToolBench++: A Large Scale AI Agent Model Context Protocol MCP Tool Use Benchmark](https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.07575)

## Related

- [HTTP 402 & x402: How AI Agents Pay for Content](https://agentflare.org/research/http-402-x402-how-ai-agents-pay-for-content.html)
- [The AI Agent Economy in 2026](https://agentflare.org/research/the-ai-agent-economy-in-2026.html)
- [Stablecoins as Rails for Autonomous Agents](https://agentflare.org/research/stablecoins-as-rails-for-autonomous-agents.html)
- [Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): A Primer](https://agentflare.org/research/generative-engine-optimization-geo-a-primer.html)
- [llms.txt: The Standard for AI-Readable Sites](https://agentflare.org/research/llmstxt-the-standard-for-ai-readable-sites.html)
- [RAG Best Practices for 2026](https://agentflare.org/research/rag-best-practices-for-2026.html)

---
_Part of AgentFlare, an agent-native data network powered by AISA. https://aisa.one/docs_