Pi Network is preparing for its next major upgrade, setting September 15, 2026, as the target date for Protocol 27 to reach the Mainnet. The deployment process began on August 21 with testing on Pi Testnet 1, following the completion of the Protocol 26 upgrade on the Mainnet.
According to the network's core team, Protocol 27 introduces more flexible and secure smart contract authentication capabilities. The upgrade also prepares the infrastructure for remote procedure call (RPC) servers, decentralized exchange (DEX) functions, and automated market maker (AMM) liquidity pools. The planned rollout sequence moves from Testnet 1 to Testnet 2, and finally to the Mainnet.
The Core Team has indicated that Protocol 27 is the final planned upgrade in the current sequence, shifting subsequent development focus toward providing a stable base for applications. In parallel, Pi App Studio updated its pricing structure on August 24, ending subsidized creation and editing fees for most users to better reflect actual service and artificial intelligence costs. Applications demonstrating real utility and user activity remain eligible for subsidized pricing, while test and spam applications no longer qualify. Mid-August reports indicated roughly 82 Mainnet applications were live.
Amid these development updates, Pi Network has returned to a market capitalization above $1 billion, ranking around No. 56 globally. Trading data shows Pi moving toward the $0.10 price level, backed by a 24-hour gain that placed its market cap at approximately $1.16 billion.
