Pi Network Rolls Out Protocol 26 Upgrade With August 11 Deadline for Node Operators

Jul 30, 2026

The Pi Core Team has initiated the rollout of Protocol 26, setting a strict deadline of August 11, 2026, for Mainnet node operators to upgrade their software or face disconnection. This update is the ninth in a series, preceding the final Protocol 27 upgrade. While the announcement triggered a short-term price increase for the PI token to around $0.082, long-term price growth faces pressure from a significant supply overhang, with PiScan data showing 4.25 million PI tokens unlocking daily.

Pi Network Protocol 26

▪PiScan data indicates that approximately 4.25 million PI tokens unlock daily, with about 1.71 billion PI tokens scheduled to enter circulation over 12 months.
▪Protocol 26 and the upcoming Protocol 27 are designed to bring the Pi Network Mainnet up to date with the latest protocol features and functionality.
▪Following the Protocol 26 announcement, the PI token price rose over 6% to approximately $0.082, outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market.
▪The Pi Core Team instructed node operators that the migration is straightforward, takes under five minutes, and should not be performed on all nodes simultaneously.
▪Pi Network Mainnet node operators must complete the Protocol 26 upgrade to maintain their connection to the Mainnet.
▪The Pi Core Team began rolling out Protocol 26, the ninth protocol upgrade, with an August 11, 2026 deadline for node operators.