Key Highlights
- Pi Launchpad Testnet lets Pioneers explore tokens with real use in apps, not just for fundraising.
- Protocol upgrades and smart contracts enable practical functions like subscriptions, escrow, and NFTs.
- Pi Day challenge and Mainnet apps boost engagement while letting users test and interact with features.
Pi Network, the mobile-first cryptocurrency project, has rolled out the first version of its Pi Launchpad on Testnet, giving Pioneers a chance to explore a new test token. In a post on X, the Pi Core Team said, “The initial version of the Pi Launchpad has been released as a Pi App on the Testnet with a test token!”
This launch gives Pioneers a chance to get hands-on with a new token system that works differently from typical Web3 projects. It also serves as a learning step for anyone who hasn’t explored the Pi Request for Comment (PiRC) on GitHub yet.
The Pi Launchpad will use Design 1 of the PiRC. It was first used by the Open Network to commemorate its anniversary. Unlike other tokens, the Pi Launchpad focuses on creating tokens that have a real use case in the application instead of focusing on raising funds.
This means that tokens will be used to attract real users and then incorporate them into their application, allowing holders to use the tokens immediately. Instead of the funds going to the project, the funds go into the liquidity pools to ensure stability. This also helps in testing the application and improving it based on user feedback.
Expanding Pi ecosystem capabilities
Alongside the Launchpad, Pi Network has rolled out major updates to its nodes and protocols. All Pi nodes now run protocol 20, which sets the stage for smart contracts—programs that can automate tasks on the blockchain. At first, these contracts will handle things like subscriptions, escrow services, NFT use, and other practical functions. To keep everything secure, the contracts go through external audits and staged Testnet testing before reaching Mainnet.
Pi App Studio can now handle Mainnet apps with permanent payment. This means that users can make purchases or use certain features that can be used in multiple sessions, and developers can monitor these transactions. All these changes improve the overall functionality of the apps and help developers improve their creations according to actual user behavior.
Pi Network has also started second migrations, letting Pioneers transfer more Pi to Mainnet. Referral bonuses are included for team members who complete KYC verification. At the same time, KYC validators are receiving their first round of rewards, set at 0.0504179 Pi per validation—about 21 times the regular mining rate.
This update shows how the network relies on human participation, with over 1 million validators completing 526 million tasks, demonstrating the community’s scale and coordination.
Community engagement and utility challenges
To celebrate Pi Day 2026, Pi introduced a challenge where Pioneers are encouraged to explore different features of the network. Upon completion of the tasks, they are rewarded with a Pi Day badge displayed on their profiles. Moreover, the integration of other services, such as Kraken, enhances the network’s connectivity.
These updates show how Pi Network is combining practical tools, system upgrades, and community involvement to make the Launchpad a key part of its token ecosystem. By allowing users to discover, test, and engage with actual features, the network promotes engagement while developing a more functional platform.
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