Pi Network Reveals Utility-First Design for Ecosystem Tokens

Pi Network news today shows it is doubling down on its utility narrative. On February 27, co-founder Dr. Chengdiao Fan released a detailed video explaining how ecosystem tokens will work on Pi Mainnet. The update came through the official Pi Core Team account and quickly drew attention from the community. 

What are Pi ecosystem tokens and what is the design thinking for ecosystem tokens on Mainnet?

Pi Founder Chengdiao Fan dives deep into Pi’s unique approach to ecosystem token design — Pi’s focus is not on tokens for their own sake, or on mechanisms and integrations in… pic.twitter.com/OsB49ZXXeJ

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) February 27, 2026

The timing matters. It arrives just days after the one-year anniversary of Pi’s Open Network launch. In the video, Fan made the project’s stance clear. Pi wants tokens that power real apps and user growth. It’s not assets created mainly for speculation or quick fundraising.

Pi’s Distinct Approach to Ecosystem Tokens

According to the team, ecosystem tokens are community-created assets built on the Pi blockchain. The concept already existed on Testnet, but the Mainnet design is now taking shape. However, Pi says its philosophy differs from most crypto launches.

Dr. Fan stressed that the focus is “not on tokens for their own sake.” Instead, the goal is to support real innovation and product accountability. In simple terms, ecosystem tokens should help apps grow users and deliver services. They should not exist as isolated financial instruments.

This positioning reflects Pi’s long-running message. The network continues to present itself as utility-first and mobile-driven. Supporters say that approach could create more durable value if execution matches the vision.

Key Design Principles and Safeguards

The proposed framework includes several guardrails meant to reduce speculation risks. First, projects must have a working product before launching an ecosystem token. This requirement aims to stop empty token launches with no real utility. Second, funds committed in Pi Network during token acquisition will not go directly to the issuing project. Instead, they flow into permanent liquidity pools. The team says this design should support token stability and reduce misuse of funds.

Third, the ecosystem tokens are meant for user acquisition and engagement. Projects must provide clear real-world use cases. Accountability is a major theme. Because Pi users are KYC-verified, the network believes builders will face stronger pressure to deliver working products. Together, these rules attempt to address common Web3 criticism. Many past tokens raised capital but failed to ship meaningful products. Pi appears to be trying a different route.

Community Role and What Comes Next

Importantly, the design is not final yet. The team released it as a Pi Request for Comment on GitHub. Pioneers are encouraged to review the proposal and submit feedback through issues, pull requests, or a Google Form. This open review process fits Pi Network’s community-heavy strategy. 

The Pi Core Team says ecosystem tokens will evolve through real usage and feedback. The push also connects to broader post-anniversary priorities. Pi Network news today shows it includes faster migrations and better developer tools. For now, the message is clear. Pi Network wants its next growth phase to come from real apps using real tokens. Whether the model delivers at scale will depend on developer adoption and execution in the months ahead.