Pi Network is intensifying its focus on real-world utility as it approaches a significant token unlock of approximately 134 million PI tokens. The project's stated solution to market volatility is to build practical use cases, not hype. This week, the network expanded the tools within its Pi App Studio, introducing a major update that allows users to create applications without any programming skills and integrates simple Test-Pi payments within those apps.
A core feature is the new no-code Test-Pi payment system, enabling anyone, not just developers, to build functional use cases. Creators can now add Pi payments using simple commands. Currently operating on Test-Pi, this allows for safe experimentation before official Mainnet payments go live. Users can earn Pi for in-session items or features, such as unlocking content or purchasing digital goods, with transactions resetting at the end of a session. Pi Network states this lays the groundwork for persistent future payments.
The platform also added a fee-free deployment option. Users whose Pi App Studio balance falls below a set threshold can watch ads as an alternative to paying Pi, making it easier for non-migrated users and newcomers to experiment. The clear goal is to lower barriers, increase testing, and develop real utility across the ecosystem.
Community channels reported that over 1.17 million PI was withdrawn from exchanges within 24 hours, a move supporters view as a sign of long-term conviction during market fluctuations. Pi Network also highlighted strong community engagement, with over 15.8 million users participating in the first Mainnet vote, which the platform says demonstrates readiness for deeper decentralization.
Parallel developments include a hinted Proof of Concept with OpenMind, where Pi Nodes would support AI model training with node providers earning PI, and an upgrade related to Stellar Protocol v25 aimed at smoothing migration and improving performance for future apps.
Amid these upgrades, Pi Network issued a fresh scam warning, sharing a case where a user lost several hundred yuan to a fraudulent withdrawal scheme. The network cautioned that such scams often use fake comments and group accounts to appear legitimate, pressuring victims to make repeated payments without ever receiving a withdrawal. The message is clear: trust only official Pi channels and report suspicious links.
Separately, Pi Network launched a creator event starting January 22, offering the first 1,000 qualified survey respondents 5 Pi credits usable exclusively within the App Studio to reduce cost barriers for AI-generated iterations and server deployments.
Following the ecosystem news, the PI token price saw movement, rallying to an intraday high of $0.189 before settling around $0.183, marking a 1.4% increase on the day with a 24-hour trading volume of $14.12 million.
