Pi Network has finished its Protocol 27 Mainnet upgrade and is now preparing for the next network change. Protocol 28 is scheduled to go live on Mainnet on October 16, 2026, with node operators required to update their software by October 13.
The completion of Protocol 27 came after an initial September 15 target. It follows other upgrades this year, including Protocol 26, and is part of the project’s broader effort to refine how accounts, applications, and smart contracts interact on the network.
Protocol 27 expands authorization options
According to the Pi Network team, Protocol 27 gives accounts and applications more flexible ways to authorize smart contract transactions. That means developers have more choices when designing how an app approves a transaction. The upgrade is focused on the mechanics that support application activity rather than on token price or exchange listings.
Pi Network had previously described Protocol 27 as the final planned upgrade in that sequence. The project has since announced Protocol 28 and moved the new version to Testnet, setting up the next Mainnet rollout.
Protocol 28 Mainnet upgrade set for October 16
Protocol 28 is scheduled for Mainnet on October 16, 2026. Node operators have until October 13 to update their software, three days before the planned network change. The team says the new version is designed to improve how the network handles delays in transaction data.
Protocol 28 will also let developers upgrade groups of smart contracts at once instead of updating each contract separately. In addition, it introduces a safer way for developers to change stored data as applications evolve. These changes are aimed at network operations and application maintenance.
PI price climbs back above $0.09
The PI token traded at $0.09115 at the time of reporting, up 4.29% in 24 hours and 7.2% over seven days, according to CoinMarketCap. The token had fallen below $0.083 earlier in the week, climbed close to $0.094, pulled back toward $0.085, and then recovered above $0.09.
The rebound pushed PI’s market value back above $1 billion, placing it near 65th among cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Despite the weekly gain, PI remains down about 32.45% over 90 days, and its 30-day return is negative 2.55%. The short-term recovery is therefore taking place within a longer period of declining prices.
Key price levels and trading activity
PI’s recent swing high is near $0.09508, with a previous rejection area at $0.09858. Its recent swing low is around $0.08490, followed by a prior consolidation area near $0.08048. At $0.09115, the token is trading between the recent swing high and low.
Trading activity increased during the seven-day rebound. The seven-day average daily volume reached $8.03 million, about 1.3 times its usual level. The 30-day average was $6.29 million a day, below its usual level for that period.
Background: Open Network and protocol cadence
Pi Network launched Open Network in February 2025, enabling external connections and exchange integrations. The October update follows a series of protocol changes the team has made during 2026. For node operators, the immediate task is to complete the software update before the October 13 deadline.
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