Pi Network is pushing its ecosystem forward with significant technical improvements and new tools for creators. At the end of January 2026, the network completed the Stellar Protocol v25 upgrade on its Mainnet and expanded the functionality of its Pi App Studio platform.
The Stellar Protocol v25 upgrade is now active, enhancing privacy and security while preparing the network for future zero-knowledge features. The Pi Network team utilized the Testnet2 environment to simulate massive loads before deployment, during which block production increased from over 4 million to 7 million. This "re-synchronization" process is described as a technical transition to a more modern and robust version of the Pi blockchain.
Simultaneously, Pi App Studio has been expanded with new features. Creators can now add Test-Pi payments to applications without writing code, using simple prompts and visual steps, opening app development to non-technical community members. Additionally, Pi introduced ad-supported app deployment, allowing users without a Pi balance to publish their apps by watching ads, lowering the entry barrier for testing ideas.
The project's community-centric approach was highlighted by a Mainnet vote held on January 22, which saw over 15.8 million participants. Community leaders framed app slowdowns during the event as a successful load test, demonstrating the network's scale. The core team's messaging consistently emphasizes building long-term utility over short-term price movements. A creator event is now rewarding the first 1,000 qualified participants who build useful apps within App Studio.
Looking ahead, with approximately 150 million Pi tokens nearing unlock, market attention remains high. However, Pi Network's stated focus remains on infrastructure, privacy, and creator tools to foster real-world use cases like payments, games, and small services within its ecosystem.
