Pi Network Gears Up for Mainnet: Testnet1 Upgrade and What It Means for Pioneers

Pi Network is in the final stages of its Testnet1 upgrade, paving the way for mainnet. Get the latest on protocol advancements, KYC, and what to expect.

The buzz around Pi Network's mainnet transition is reaching fever pitch, with the Testnet1 upgrade marking a crucial step. Here's the lowdown on the latest developments and what they mean for the Pi community.

Testnet1 Upgrade: Setting the Stage for Mainnet

Pi Network is currently undergoing final Testnet1 blockchain upgrades, advancing from protocol version 19 to 23. The dev team says these improvements are essential for future upgrades, with Testnet2 and the highly anticipated mainnet launch on the horizon.

While these upgrades are underway, users might experience brief service interruptions. But don't sweat it! The Pi Network team promises to keep these outages short and give everyone a heads-up in advance. Even some centralized exchanges might experience temporary Pi availability issues while they process the updates.

What's New in Version 23?

Version 23 brings some exciting features to the table:

• Smart Contracts in Rust: Opens up new possibilities for developers.
• Parallel Transaction Execution: Improves network scalability.
• Embedded KYC Authority: Maintains Pi as a KYC-verified blockchain, enhancing security and trust within the network. This will also allow a more community-driven KYC process.
• Linux Node Version: Allowing greater accessibility and ecosystem participation.

Pi's Foundation on Stellar

Pi Network is built on the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) and Stellar Core. So, the network benefits from Stellar's own upgrades, particularly Stellar's transition to version 23. It's like getting a free upgrade just for being part of the Stellar family!

Founder Spotlight at TOKEN2049

Dr. Chengdiao Fan, co-founder of Pi Network, will be a featured speaker at the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore (October 1–2). She'll be discussing the potential of blockchain and crypto for real-world utility, which is a refreshing take in a world often focused on speculation.

Price Check: Pi Coin's Market Performance

Despite all the exciting developments, Pi Coin hasn't exactly exploded in value. After the move to version 20, it saw a brief 3% jump, but a price correction brought it back down. The coin price continues to slip while debate grows about long-term value. Some analysts are publishing a cautious Pi Coin price outlook for 2026.

The Road Ahead

While the price of Pi Coin might be doing the limbo, the underlying technology is steadily advancing. The Testnet1 upgrades are a crucial step towards the mainnet launch, which promises to bring even more functionality and opportunities to the Pi Network community. Developers and validators will be hard at work testing and ironing out any potential issues before the full mainnet release.

It’s important to remember that even with Protocol 23, Linux-based nodes, decentralized KYC, and scalability work, the Pi Coin price still needs real demand to beat structural inflation.

Final Thoughts

The mainnet transition for Pi Network is a complex journey, but the progress is undeniable. Whether you're a seasoned crypto enthusiast or just curious about Pi, now's the time to pay attention. And hey, even if the price isn't mooning just yet, at least you can say you were here before it went supernova. Keep mining, Pioneers!