Pi Network has launched its first Smart Contract feature on Testnet, enabling users to set up automatic subscription payments while maintaining control of their funds. This marks a shift toward ecosystem utility and lays the groundwork for potential mainnet deployment.

Pi Network announced a mandatory upgrade to Protocol version 22.1, requiring completion by April 27, 2026, to maintain network connection. The upgrade is seen positively for enhancing security and performance, with next version expected by May 11, 2026.

Pi Network will launch its V23 upgrade next month, featuring smart contracts, a DApp ecosystem, and a decentralized exchange. With over 18 million KYC-verified users, this upgrade moves Pi towards practical applications and utility in its ecosystem.

Pi Network is testing its Launchpad functionality, introducing a “12-grid” token distribution system where users can obtain and verify tokens by subscribing to projects. Test results show the system is stable and supports future ecosystem development. Although it is still on the test network, it has already laid the groundwork for the project’s token distribution and smart contract applications. Overall, the project is moving toward a complete blockchain ecosystem.

Pi Network has completed the distribution of rewards for the first round of KYC verification. With more than 1 million validators contributing to the confirmation of 18 million global identities, the reward pool exceeds 26 million Pi Coin. This progress marks a key step toward the mainnet launch, demonstrating the efficiency of human–machine collaboration, optimizing performance mechanisms, and attracting more users to participate.

Pi Network rolls out a security update, requiring Pioneers to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect users’ account and wallet security and prevent loss of funds during the mainnet migration. This move addresses ongoing scam threats and ensures that sensitive actions are approved only by the account owner. At the same time, node operators have upgraded to protocol 21.2 to improve system performance. Users must complete the mainnet migration step by step to safeguard their assets.

The token supply model of Pi Network has sparked heated debate, and there is controversy over whether the tokens generated through user mining are fully owned by the community. Insufficient transparency has made some users cautious about the circulating supply and distribution structure, prompting calls for verifiable data. As the network transitions to the mainnet, transparency will affect user confidence and the project’s competitiveness.

Pi Network is advancing upgrades to its cross-chain bridge technology to enable interoperability with other blockchains and improve the flexibility of Ji Coin’s applications. It has also introduced a KYB verification mechanism to support Web2 and Web3 enterprise onboarding. Smart contract development is underway as well; in the future, it may enable the construction of decentralized applications. If the rollout proceeds smoothly, Pi could expand into new growth opportunities in the Web3 market.

Pi Network launches new RPC servers, providing standardized tools for developers, supporting smart contract testing and simulation, and improving development security and efficiency. This marks its transition toward practical functionality, which may attract more developers and help advance the ecosystem, even though it still faces some challenges.

In 2026, the Pi Network mainnet rollout initiative has made progress, with more than 119,000 users completing a second migration, signaling a transition toward an “application-driven” model. Second migration allows users to transfer additional Pi balances into their mainnet accounts, but it requires KYC verification. The project team is proceeding carefully, has begun expanding real-world application scenarios, and despite disagreements within the community, the system as a whole is developing steadily; going forward, the key will be migration efficiency and the successful rollout of ecosystem applications.