Crypto analyst Dr. Altcoin shared an update on X, indicating that Pi Network’s Protocol 23 upgrade may soon be within reach. According to him, the testnet is already running Protocol 23 and undergoing active testing. Once this phase concludes successfully with minimal issues, the team plans to advance to Testnet 2, followed by a full deployment on the Mainnet. Based on the current timeline, the full Mainnet upgrade could launch by the end of Q4 2025 or early Q1 2026.
Dr. Altcoin cautioned that delays are possible, noting the Pi Core Team is “known for doing things painfully slow but meticulously right.” Protocol 23 incorporates Stellar Core v23.0.1 and is designed to improve scalability and transaction efficiency across the network. Developers expect it to provide a more stable foundation for future decentralized applications and enhance Pi’s potential in the broader DeFi ecosystem.
The Pi Testnet has also introduced two major features: a decentralized exchange (DEX) and an automated market maker (AMM). These tools allow users to simulate DeFi activities like token swaps and liquidity pool creation in a secure environment, potentially paving the way for high on-chain trading when the Mainnet upgrade goes live.
Community Concerns Grow as Pi Token Price Drops
The upgrade news comes amid rising tension within the Pi community. The Pi token recently plunged 90% from its all-time high of $2.99, raising concerns about project sustainability and fears of a potential rug pull. Critics have highlighted that the Pi Core Team controls roughly 90 billion tokens, fueling worries about centralization and market manipulation.
Currently, Pi trades at around $0.263, down 12.32% over the past week, according to crypto.news. Despite these challenges, the upcoming Protocol 23 upgrade represents a strategic effort to rebuild user trust and strengthen the foundation for future growth within the Pi ecosystem.
