From CryptoPotato · By Dimitar Dzhondzhorov
Pi Network’s team is expected to complete another major ecosystem development later this week, and it remains unclear whether the move will fuel a price surge for the native token or even arrive as scheduled.
PI continues to underperform, with its valuation nosediving by 60% over the past year and currently trading just above its all-time low levels.
What’s Coming?
2026 has been quite eventful for Pi Network in terms of protocol updates. The Core team began the lengthy process at the start of the year by implementing version 19.6. It later deployed v20.2, which laid the foundation for smart contract capabilities and many more.
The summer also saw significant activity on that front, with Pi Network unveiling versions 25 and 26, which came after their initial deadlines. The last technical update on that list was protocol v27, which should have deployed on September 15 but also came later than expected.
All eyes are now on protocol update v28, scheduled for implementation later this week. X user Giannis Andreou said the upgrade is live on Pi Testnet, with Mainnet activation expected to arrive on October 16. Meanwhile, node operators must upgrade by tomorrow (October 13).
“The update improves transaction-data handling and lets developers upgrade groups of smart contracts together. A deadline for operators as PI prepares its next network upgrade,” he concluded.
Biggest Week Ahead?
X user sunday peter also commented, claiming that Pi Network’s “biggest week of 2026 is finally here.” They claimed that the next few days could mark a “massive turning point” for the future of the project, outlining the approaching protocol upgrade, PI’s smart contracts that are officially live on GitHub for community testing, audits, and building, Pi Network’s partnership with luxury automaker Lotus Cars, and the collaboration with Open USD (OUSD).
As CryptoPotato recently reported, the controversial crypto project teamed up with Open Standard (the company behind the newly launched stablecoin). The partnership could eventually introduce OUSD-based rewards and additional utility to Pi Network’s ecosystem. The Core team has not revealed any further development details, yet many X users have shared their thoughts. Pi News, for instance, said:
“The interesting part isn’t just the partnership; it’s the potential utility that can come from it. If Pi can connect OUSD with rewards, payments, and ecosystem applications, this could become a meaningful infrastructure layer for Pioneers. Waiting to see the implementation details.”
PI Price Outlook
As of now, the altcoin trades just north of $0.08, a staggering 97% crash from its all-time high of around $3 at the start of 2025. Investors and traders may hope the upcoming protocol upgrade triggers a much-needed rebound, but the price hasn’t always moved higher after previous updates. Moreover, they should be prepared for a possible delay, as Pi Network’s team has a habit of postponing important developments.