Pi Network Marks Open Network Anniversary With New Strategy

Pi Network marked the first anniversary of its Open Network on February 20. The founders, Chengdiao Fan and Nicolas Kokkalis outlining the project’s next phase. In a new video shared by the Pi core team, the founders reflected on progress made since the Open Mainnet launch and highlighted future priorities. 

Happy first anniversary of Open Network!

To celebrate this milestone, Pi Founders Chengdiao Fan and Nicolas Kokkalis dive deeper into Pi’s strategy, approach, and current work since Open Network—while also providing greater visibility into the direction and priorities guiding…

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) February 20, 2026

The update arrives as Pi coin trades around the $0.17-$0.18 range after recent volatility. Meanwhile, the network says more than 16 million users. Those who have now migrated to Mainnet through KYC verification. The anniversary message focused less on hype and more on long-term ecosystem building.

One Year Since Open Network Launch

Pi’s Open Network went live on February 20, 2025. It marks the project’s shift from its enclosed phase to external connectivity. That move allowed Pi to support real blockchain transactions and broader ecosystem growth. It also opened the door for trading activity on several crypto platforms.

Since then, the team has continued pushing the narrative of utility-first development. Unlike many newer projects, Pi highlights its large base of identity-verified users as a core strength. The network believes this verified community gives it an advantage in building real-world applications. Rather than purely speculative activity.

Key Technical Progress in 2026

On the technical side, Pi Network recently completed the mandatory v19.6 protocol migration. This upgrade improved node synchronization and overall network stability. Next, version v19.9 is expected soon as the final step before the larger v20 upgrade. The roadmap does not stop there. The team continues working toward later versions. Which aim to improve scalability and smart contract readiness. 

At the same time, KYC validator rewards remain in testing. The deployment is targeted around the end of the first quarter of 2026. In addition, the network has been gradually unblocking more users for the Mainnet migration. Millions of Pioneers have moved forward in the process, although some users still report delays.

Founders Highlight Ecosystem Tokens, KYC and AI

In the anniversary video, the founders spent significant time explaining the long-term vision. A major focus is the design of ecosystem tokens on the Pi Mainnet. According to the team, these tokens will prioritize real utility rather than fundraising mechanics. Distribution is expected to rely on staking and liquidity tools designed to reduce volatility.

The founders also emphasized KYC as a potential standalone identity service. With millions of verified users already onboarded, Pi sees an opportunity to provide trusted human verification for Web3 applications. Alongside this, the team discussed future AI integrations. Including distributed computing use cases that could support an AI-driven digital economy.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Pi coin news today shows that despite the milestone, challenges remain. Many users are still waiting to complete the migration or KYC steps. In addition, Pi coin’s market price sits far below earlier peak levels. Which continues to test community patience. Still, the team framed the second year of Open Network as a building phase. Upcoming upgrades, validator rewards and deeper ecosystem tools remain on the Pi Network’s roadmap. Whether that strategy translates into stronger real world adoption will be the key story to watch in the months ahead.