TLDR
- Pi Network scheduled Protocol V23 for May 18, 2026, after the required V22.1 node update.
- V23 is set to move Pi Network to Stellar Core v23.0.1 for smart contract support.
- Pi Network said a native on-chain DEX is planned alongside the V23 upgrade.
- The project reported more than 18 million KYC-verified users ahead of the rollout.
- Pi Network also launched a public Testnet RPC server for decentralized app testing.
Pi Network is preparing for a planned shift in its blockchain roadmap. The project said Protocol V23 is scheduled for May 18, 2026. The upgrade is designed to add smart contracts and a native on-chain DEX. That move would open the network to apps, trading tools, and wider token use.
V23 follows a required network update
Pi Network said node operators must complete the V22.1 update by April 22, 2026. That step comes before the final V23 rollout. The team linked the process to network sync and stable connectivity.
Nodes that miss the update may fall out of sync. Pi Network has used a phased rollout instead of a single large change. That approach gives operators more time to prepare their systems.
The project also said V23 will move the chain to Stellar Core v23.0.1. That base is meant to support broader on-chain functions. Pi has used Stellar-based technology for speed and low-cost settlement.
Smart contracts and apps move closer
Smart contracts let developers run code on the blockchain without a central operator. Pi Network has long focused on mining, KYC, and user growth. V23 would shift more attention to direct utility.
That change may support games, finance apps, and digital marketplaces inside the network. It may also help users spend Pi in more ways. Developers would gain tools for live deployment and testing.
Pi Network said its Testnet now has a public RPC server. That server lets developers query chain data with fewer central bottlenecks. The report also linked Protocol 23 to tokenized real-world assets on the network.
Native DEX plans add another layer
Pi Network also signaled plans for a native on-chain DEX. A DEX lets users trade assets directly from their wallets. That can reduce reliance on outside platforms and keep more activity inside Pi.
The report said Pi traded near $0.16 recently. It also placed daily volume between $12 million and $25 million. Even so, liquidity remains a key test for any DEX launch.
Pi Network said more than 18 million users have completed KYC checks. It also reported 480,000 users in its Launchpad ecosystem. Those figures give the project a verified base as V23 moves closer.
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