Key Highlights
- The update introduces improvements in synchronization, efficiency, and system reliability.
- Non-compliant nodes have been removed for network integrity in the transition period.
- Improvements are made based on the underlying architecture of Stellar Core.
Pi Network’s core team today revealed that the Pi Mainnet has been successfully upgraded to Protocol 22, achieving a technological advancement as part of its long journey to becoming an operational blockchain ecosystem.
According to the official statement by PiCoreTeam on X, the upgrade was completed successfully, and node runners were advised to stay updated for the upcoming protocol v23 release.
With an absolute deadline of April 27, 2026, the upgrade demanded that all Mainnet nodes be upgraded to Protocol 22.1. In addition, any nodes not complying were disconnected from the network.
The results from the block explorer show that the network is 100% synchronized with no transaction failures after the upgrade, proving efficient execution on the part of the Pi Core Team and node operator community.
Details on Protocol 22
The second major upgrade, called Protocol 22, is a foundational upgrade on the basis of the upgraded Stellar Core. The main areas that need to be addressed in this protocol are increased scalability, security, transaction processing efficiency, and improved network stability.
Among the most important improvements of the protocol is better node synchronization, dual interface support (node operators can control operations from the node screen as well as from the Pi Desktop app), and required infrastructure development that will enable new and more complex features.
This upgrade is regarded as a crucial step in developing Protocol 23, which was fast-tracked and announced for May 11, 2026. Protocol 23 is anticipated to roll out full smart contract functionality to the Pi mainnet for the first time.
Protocol 22 is also aligned with the creation of PiRC1, which is a new standard for token issuance that needs applications to show the existence of real consumer demand as well as products before releasing any tokens.
The open mainnet phase
The Pi Network, which has begun its open mainnet phase since February 2025, has made significant progress through various protocol upgrades in 2026.
Initial upgrades carried out in March and April with the advent of Protocols 20.2 and 21.2, respectively, set some stage, but the recent upgrades include Protocol 22 that is completed, v23 that will be deployed in May, and upgrades till Protocol 26 planned for June.
As of early May 2026, about 10 billion PI have migrated into the Mainnet, along with second migrations and referral bonuses to be rolled out to verified pioneers. The network now has over 421,000 active nodes with the support of over 1 million CPUs, powered by the huge user base of 18 million KYC-verified users.
The node operators remain essential players in supporting this decentralized network. Ecosystem activities are on the rise along with protocol upgrades, including Pi App Studio apps running on Mainnet with live transactions, KYC validators’ payouts, and pilot programs focusing on developing decentralized AI services with the help of Pi’s node network.
Read: PI Price Falls to Record Low Despite Pi Network Ecosystem Launch
Attention turns to Protocol 23
With the deployment of Protocol 22 already underway, the attention now turns to Protocol 23, which is scheduled for deployment on May 11. The protocol is expected to revolutionize the Pi Network landscape by offering native smart contract capabilities that could spur development and drive more use cases.
However, with KYC-related roadblocks and migration challenges continuing for some users, the project’s roadmap through 2026 seems well on course, with Pi evolving into a Layer-1 blockchain network from its current state as a mobile-mining network.
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