Pi Network Announces Ecosystem Upgrade Schedule... Will the Price Rise This Time?

▲ Pi Network (PI)/AI generated image

Pi Network has announced the final deadline for the Protocol 22 upgrade for Mainnet node operators. Simultaneously, expectations for a widespread technical transition and price fluctuations within the ecosystem have emerged.

According to cryptocurrency specialized media CoinGape on April 20 (local time), Pi Network has issued a mandatory directive requiring all Mainnet node operators to complete the upgrade to Protocol 22 by April 27. Nodes that fail to complete the upgrade within this deadline will be subject to strict measures, potentially resulting in permanent disconnection from the network. This update is a crucial step following the previous Protocol 21 transition, focusing on strengthening the Mainnet's security and processing capabilities. The Pi Coin (Pi, PI) development team has once again urged node operators to respond promptly through official channels.

Protocol 22 goes beyond mere performance improvement, serving as a bridge to Protocol 23, which will introduce smart contract functionality in the future. This update includes a dual-interface system that integrates the node interface with the desktop Pi app, allowing users to manage balances and utilize chat functions directly from their computers. As the technical structure advances, the establishment of a Web3 environment within the Pi Network ecosystem is expected to accelerate further. The Core Team explained that this phase is an essential technical foundation for the full opening of the Mainnet.

The price of Pi Coin showed a positive reaction immediately after the announcement of the upgrade deadline, rising over 6% during the day to trade around $0.1815. It temporarily surged to $0.1824, reflecting high investor interest, but as in past cases, there is still a possibility of profit-taking sales after the upgrade is completed. Analysts are focusing on whether Protocol 22 can establish a stable support level for the price. Technical indicators predict that Pi Coin will move within a range of $0.14 to $0.57 in the mid-to-short term.

The upcoming release of a large volume, approximately 177.01 million PI, from lock-up over the next 30 days is cited as a downward pressure factor on the price. This amount represents 2.96% of the total locked supply, and a temporary increase in volatility due to increased market supply is anticipated. While the ecosystem has grown with over 16 million users completing migration to the Mainnet since 2026, the ability to defend the price against the release of these tokens will be tested. Investors are closely monitoring the balance between the lock-up release schedule and Mainnet activity.

Pi Network plans to officially launch its decentralized application ecosystem by introducing Protocol 23, including smart contract functionality, in Q2 2026. The ongoing node upgrade is considered the final verification stage for this major technological innovation. The Pi Coin community hopes that these technical achievements will lead to the creation of real utility, thereby solidifying its position in the cryptocurrency market. The outcome of this upgrade, which concludes on April 27, is expected to be a watershed moment for determining the future implementation of Pi Network's long-term roadmap.

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