Tag: smart contracts

  • Pi Network Wraps Protocol 27, Schedules Protocol 28 Mainnet Rollout for October 16

    Pi Network Wraps Protocol 27, Schedules Protocol 28 Mainnet Rollout for October 16

    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.

  • How Cardano’s Blockchain Infrastructure Enables Autonomous AI Payments and Machine-to-Machine Transactions

    How Cardano’s Blockchain Infrastructure Enables Autonomous AI Payments and Machine-to-Machine Transactions

    Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are rapidly evolving from systems that merely generate information into full-fledged software capable of executing tasks, interacting with services, and even making payments. Cardano is strategically positioning its blockchain infrastructure to support this emerging agent economy through programmable transactions, identity tools, and machine-focused payment standards.

    Why AI Agents Need Payment Capabilities

    Autonomous agents may need to purchase model inference, datasets, APIs, computing resources, or digital services without requiring human approval for every transaction. Cardano describes autonomous agents as software that can hold wallets and submit on-chain transactions independently.

    At the heart of this capability is x402, an open payment standard built around HTTP’s ‘402 Payment Required’ response. This standard allows software to encounter a priced online resource, authorize payment, and continue processing the request without creating a traditional billing account. Cardano’s implementation integrates with the Masumi smart-contract protocol, which provides escrow, refunds, and on-chain decision logging. Funds are released when work is delivered or refunded when conditions are not satisfied.

    Programmable Settlement with EUTXO Model

    Cardano employs the Extended Unspent Transaction Output (EUTXO) accounting model, where outputs can contain scripts defining conditions that must be satisfied before funds move. This model ensures transaction validity and required fees can be evaluated before submission when relevant inputs remain available.

    This predictability is critical for AI agents. It allows them to operate within predefined budgets rather than facing unpredictable execution costs. Developers can design agents with spending limits, approved counterparties, or smart-contract conditions, giving software controlled access to funds without unrestricted authority over finances.

    Hydra Layer-2 for High-Frequency Payments

    Cardano’s Hydra Layer-2 scaling technology is another key component. A Hydra Head functions as an off-chain ledger between a fixed group of participants, with outcomes ultimately settled on the main Cardano blockchain. Cardano’s developer documentation specifically identifies machine-to-machine and AI-agent payments as a Hydra use case, citing agent-to-agent transactions occurring at machine frequency for fractions of a cent.

    The Global Trend Toward Agent Payments

    The movement toward autonomous payments extends beyond Cardano. In September 2026, Solana Foundation reported a payment-channel benchmark involving 100,000 wallets and over one million off-chain-authorized payments per second. Rather than settling every interaction individually, agents authorize spending updates off-chain before final settlement, demonstrating the scale autonomous agents may eventually require.

    Security Considerations Remain Critical

    Financial autonomy introduces significant risks. Compromised agents, malicious prompts, faulty software, or stolen credentials could authorize unintended spending. Secure key management, transaction limits, escrow mechanisms, identity verification, and human approval for high-value transfers remain essential safeguards.

    Conclusion

    Cardano already possesses the building blocks for agent payments, including x402, Masumi, EUTXO smart contracts, and Hydra. These tools enable autonomous software to pay under predefined rules while maintaining auditable settlement. Widespread adoption will ultimately depend on security, developer integration, and genuine demand for machine-to-machine commerce.

  • How Blockchain Networks Power Autonomous Payments for AI Agents

    How Blockchain Networks Power Autonomous Payments for AI Agents

    AI agents are increasingly performing tasks that require payments, such as purchasing services, accessing APIs, booking resources, and managing digital workflows. Blockchain networks provide programmable payment infrastructure that enables these agents to execute transactions autonomously, without constant human approval.

    Digital Wallets and Permission Controls

    An AI agent can be linked to a digital wallet that holds or controls digital assets. The wallet provides payment capabilities while predefined permissions limit what the agent can spend. This structure separates operational payments from broader financial authority, allowing organizations to set spending limits, approved destinations, and transaction conditions.

    Smart Contracts for Automated Transactions

    Smart contracts define the conditions under which payments occur. An AI agent can trigger a transaction after confirming service delivery, a specific condition, or an approved workflow. Because the rules are encoded onchain, payment execution becomes more automated and less reliant on manual intervention.

    Machine-to-Machine Payments

    AI agents increasingly interact with software services, data providers, computing platforms, and other autonomous systems. Blockchain networks support machine-to-machine payments by allowing agents to exchange digital assets programmatically. This enables smaller, automated transactions for individual services instead of relying solely on traditional account-based billing.

    Identity and Permission Governance

    Payment automation introduces governance requirements. Organizations need to define which agent can transact, spending limits, approved destinations, and when transactions require approval. Blockchain-based identity and permission mechanisms support these controls, while offchain systems can provide additional authentication, monitoring, compliance, and risk management.

    Stablecoins for Stable Value

    Stablecoins offer blockchain-based payment rails that maintain relatively stable values against reference currencies. For AI agents, this reduces price volatility compared to other cryptoassets. Their usefulness depends on network costs, liquidity, regulatory requirements, wallet infrastructure, and counterparty acceptance.

    The Need for Coordinated Infrastructure

    AI agent payments require more than blockchain transactions. Wallet security, identity, authorization, compliance, transaction monitoring, interoperability, and reliable APIs must work together. Blockchain networks provide settlement infrastructure, but businesses still need governance frameworks around autonomous spending. The practical opportunity lies in combining programmable payments with controlled agent autonomy.

  • Beyond Bitcoin: 7 Blockchain Technologies Driving the Digital Asset Revolution

    Beyond Bitcoin: 7 Blockchain Technologies Driving the Digital Asset Revolution

    The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving rapidly beyond Bitcoin’s original vision of peer-to-peer digital cash. A new wave of technologies is expanding what blockchain networks can do—from automating financial agreements to tokenizing real-world assets. Here are seven key innovations powering the next era of digital assets.

    Smart Contracts

    Smart contracts enable blockchain networks to automatically execute predefined instructions when specific conditions are met. They underpin decentralized applications, token exchanges, lending protocols, and numerous other digital-asset services. By replacing some intermediary functions with programmable code, smart contracts expand blockchain technology beyond Bitcoin’s focus on simple payments, creating infrastructure for increasingly complex financial and digital transactions.

    Stablecoins

    Stablecoins are digital tokens designed to maintain relatively stable values, typically by referencing fiat currencies or other assets. They have become essential infrastructure for crypto trading, payments, transfers, and decentralized finance. Their growth connects traditional money with blockchain networks, while different models use reserves, collateral, or algorithms to maintain their intended value and support cross-border digital transactions.

    Layer-2 Networks

    Layer-2 networks operate alongside underlying blockchains to process transactions more efficiently while relying on the base network for security or settlement. They can increase transaction capacity and reduce costs, helping blockchain ecosystems support applications requiring frequent activity. Their development is central to scaling digital assets as networks seek to accommodate broader usage without sacrificing decentralization entirely.

    Zero-Knowledge Proofs

    Zero-knowledge technology allows one party to prove information is valid without revealing the underlying data itself. In blockchain systems, these cryptographic techniques can improve privacy, verification, and scalability. They are increasingly relevant to digital-asset infrastructure because applications can verify transactions or computations while limiting the amount of sensitive information publicly exposed on a blockchain network.

    Tokenization

    Tokenization converts ownership or claims connected to assets into blockchain-based digital representations. The technology can bring securities, funds, property, commodities, and other assets onto programmable networks. Tokenization may enable fractional ownership, automated settlement, and transparent transaction records, creating connections between traditional financial markets and blockchain infrastructure while introducing new questions around custody, regulation, and legal ownership.

    Decentralized Identity

    Decentralized identity systems aim to give individuals greater control over digital credentials and personal information through cryptographic wallets and blockchain-based infrastructure. Instead of repeatedly sharing sensitive information with different platforms, users could present verifiable credentials when needed. Such systems could support digital-asset applications requiring identity verification, compliance checks, and secure access without placing every credential on a public blockchain.

    Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DePIN)

    Decentralized physical infrastructure networks use blockchain-based incentives to coordinate participation in real-world services such as wireless networks, computing resources, storage, and other infrastructure. Participants can potentially earn digital tokens for contributing resources, creating new economic models around physical networks. The technology broadens blockchain applications beyond purely financial products by connecting digital assets with measurable activity in the physical world.

  • Blockchain Explorer Guide: What It Is and How to Track Transactions, Wallets, and Smart Contracts

    Blockchain Explorer Guide: What It Is and How to Track Transactions, Wallets, and Smart Contracts

    Public blockchains contain enormous amounts of transaction data, but reading raw blockchain records is impractical for most users. Blockchain explorers solve this problem by turning on-chain information into searchable pages where anyone can inspect transactions, wallet addresses, blocks, and smart contracts.

    What Is a Blockchain Explorer?

    A blockchain explorer is essentially a search engine for a blockchain. Users can enter a wallet address, transaction hash, block number, or smart contract address and retrieve information recorded on the network. Ethereum describes block explorers as interfaces for accessing real-time information about blocks, transactions, accounts, validators, and other network activity.

    Different networks have their own explorers because their data structures and protocols differ. Etherscan is widely used for Ethereum, while Bitcoin and Solana have specialized explorers built around their respective networks.

    How Does a Blockchain Explorer Work?

    Blockchain explorers retrieve information from blockchain nodes and organize it in databases designed for fast searches. When a transaction is broadcast, it eventually becomes part of a confirmed block. The explorer indexes details such as the sender, recipient, transferred amount, transaction fee, timestamp, and block number.

    The explorer does not create or modify blockchain transactions. It simply provides a readable interface for information already recorded on-chain.

    What Can Users Track?

    A transaction hash is one of the most useful pieces of information. Searching it can show whether a payment succeeded, failed, or remains pending. On Ethereum, users can inspect transaction fees, gas consumption, token transfers, and smart contract interactions. Wallet searches can reveal balances and historical activity, although a public address does not automatically disclose the owner’s real-world identity. Explorers can also show broader network information, including block production, validator activity, and fee conditions.

    Blockchain Explorers Help Verify Smart Contracts

    Smart contract explorers do more than just track transactions. For instance, they allow users to check contract addresses, token supplies, and, if available, any verified source code. Developers can use this information to debug transactions, while investors can verify that the contract they interact with is the one they intend. Transparency is necessary in DeFi, since users rely on many blockchain projects. For example, blockchain explorers help users verify transaction status without relying on a third party, whether an exchange or a wallet provider. In case a crypto withdrawal is taking longer than expected, one can always check the transaction hash to see whether the transaction has been broadcast and confirmed.

    Final Thoughts

    Blockchain explorers make transparent ledgers understandable to ordinary users. They provide direct visibility into transactions, wallets, blocks, fees, and smart contracts. However, an explorer shows what happened on-chain, not necessarily why it happened or who ultimately controls every wallet.

  • How Decentralized Finance Is Reshaping Traditional Banking: Key Changes and Risks

    How Decentralized Finance Is Reshaping Traditional Banking: Key Changes and Risks

    Decentralized finance (DeFi) is fundamentally altering how people interact with financial services by leveraging blockchain technology, smart contracts, and digital assets to provide alternatives to conventional banking. While still in its early stages, DeFi has captured the attention of central banks, regulators, and investors worldwide.

    What Is DeFi?

    DeFi enables users to lend, borrow, trade, and transfer digital assets without relying on a centralized intermediary like a bank. Instead, these activities are executed through automated smart contracts on blockchain networks. The Bank for International Settlements notes that DeFi attempts to recreate many traditional financial services using blockchain and smart contracts, while the Federal Reserve has highlighted tokenization and smart contracts as technologies that could increase efficiency in finance.

    How DeFi Differs from Traditional Banking

    The fundamental difference lies in the role of the middleman. In traditional banking, a loan application requires human review, approval, and management. DeFi replaces many of these steps with smart contracts—self-executing programs that automatically carry out transactions when predefined conditions are met.

    • Lending: Users can deposit digital assets into a liquidity pool and earn interest, while borrowers provide collateral to take out loans—all without a bank employee approving each step.
    • Trading: Decentralized exchanges allow peer-to-peer token swaps directly from users’ wallets, bypassing centralized order books.
    • Payments: Stablecoins—digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar—facilitate fast, low-cost transfers across blockchain networks. The Federal Reserve reported that stablecoin market capitalization grew by approximately 50% during 2025, with increased activity in payments and DeFi.

    Risks and Challenges

    Despite its promise, DeFi carries serious risks. Smart contract bugs can lead to catastrophic losses. Platforms are vulnerable to hacks, sudden price crashes, and liquidity crises. The BIS warns about high leverage, interconnectedness among DeFi protocols, and the potential for contagion. Additionally, many DeFi projects are not truly decentralized—small groups often retain control over key decisions.

    Regulatory clarity remains a major hurdle. Without clear rules, both banks and DeFi platforms hesitate to fully integrate. The most pressing question is not whether DeFi will replace banks, but how much of its technology banks will adopt.

    The Future: Blending DeFi and Traditional Banking

    DeFi has already shifted the conversation around financial services. It demonstrates that blockchain and smart contracts can automate tasks once handled exclusively by banks. Stablecoins could become a mainstream payment tool.

    However, traditional banks retain advantages: regulation, customer support, deposit insurance, and risk management expertise. The likely outcome is a hybrid future, where banks incorporate blockchain for payments and asset management, while DeFi platforms continue to innovate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What is decentralized finance? DeFi uses blockchain and smart contracts to offer lending, borrowing, trading, and payments without a bank intermediary.
    2. How is DeFi different from traditional banking? Traditional banking relies on centralized institutions; DeFi uses automated, code-based systems on blockchain.
    3. Can DeFi replace traditional banks? Not in the near term. Banks provide regulated services, support, and deposit protection that DeFi currently lacks.
    4. How do smart contracts help DeFi? They automatically execute transactions when conditions are met, reducing the need for manual processing.
    5. Why are stablecoins important? Stablecoins maintain a steady value, enabling efficient digital payments and DeFi transactions.
  • Blockchain Adoption Across Industries: 10 Sectors Revolutionized by Distributed Ledger Technology

    Blockchain Adoption Across Industries: 10 Sectors Revolutionized by Distributed Ledger Technology

    Blockchain technology has moved far beyond its cryptocurrency roots. Businesses worldwide are now embedding distributed ledgers into daily operations to gain stronger transparency, tighter security, and fewer costly intermediaries. MarketsandMarkets projects the global blockchain market will reach USD 248.9 billion by 2029, up from just USD 20.1 billion in 2024. The expansion spans banking, healthcare, agriculture, real estate, and more. Here are ten sectors where blockchain is reshaping business models and raising accountability standards.

    1. Banking and Financial Services

    Banks adopted blockchain early to accelerate cross-border payments. Ripple’s payment network settles transfers in seconds, not days. JPMorgan’s Onyx platform now processes billions daily through blockchain-based repo transactions. This shift has cut costs and lowered settlement risks.

    2. Supply Chain and Logistics

    Blockchain gives companies full visibility into product movement. Walmart uses IBM’s Food Trust system to trace food origins within seconds—a process that used to take days. Key benefits include real-time tracking across borders, reduced paperwork, and faster dispute resolution.

    3. Healthcare

    Patient records are often scattered across hospitals and insurers. Blockchain enables secure data sharing while protecting privacy. Estonia has used blockchain since 2016 to guard millions of health records from tampering and unauthorized access.

    4. Real Estate

    Property deals involve heavy paperwork and many middlemen. Blockchain allows tokenized ownership, letting buyers purchase fractions of properties. Propy has already facilitated blockchain-based real estate sales across several US states.

    5. Insurance

    Claims processing suffers from delays and fraud. Smart contracts automate verification and trigger instant payouts. Etherisc offers parametric crop insurance that uses real-time weather data for settlements, helping farmers in Africa and Asia.

    6. Voting and Governance

    Election security is a global concern. Blockchain-based voting creates immutable records. West Virginia tested the system for overseas military voters, proving remote voting can remain secure and verifiable.

    7. Energy Sector

    Blockchain enables peer-to-peer energy trading. Homeowners with solar panels can sell surplus power directly. Power Ledger, an Australian firm, runs such platforms in Japan and the US, reducing reliance on centralized utilities.

    8. Entertainment and Media

    Royalty distribution has long frustrated artists. Blockchain tracks content use and automates fair payments. Audius lets musicians earn directly without record labels. Non-fungible tokens also allow creators to hold verifiable proof of ownership for digital art.

    9. Agriculture

    Buyers question claims about organic or sustainable farming. Blockchain verifies the true origin of products. AgriDigital in Australia manages grain transactions via blockchain, giving farmers faster payments and greater transparency.

    10. Government and Public Records

    Land registries and identity systems benefit from blockchain permanence. Sweden has tested blockchain land registries since 2016, cutting transaction times from months to days. Georgia’s public registry agency also secures property titles this way.

    Challenges Remaining

    Scalability limits affect transaction speed. Unclear regulations across countries, high energy use in some consensus models, and difficulty integrating with legacy systems remain hurdles. Companies must weigh these before scaling blockchain projects further.

    Final Words

    Blockchain now secures medical records, simplifies supply chains, and automates financial transactions. Businesses once hesitant are investing in serious pilots. As regulations mature and scalability improves, adoption will accelerate. Companies acting now will likely lead their industries later.

  • Why Crypto Exchanges Remain Vulnerable Even After Passing Security Audits

    Why Crypto Exchanges Remain Vulnerable Even After Passing Security Audits

    Security audits are a cornerstone of trust in the cryptocurrency world. They signal that a platform’s code has been examined by experts. Yet, history shows that many audited platforms still fall victim to hacks. Understanding why helps investors and users stay cautious. Here are seven key reasons crypto platforms can be compromised even after a clean audit.

    1. New Code Introduces Fresh Risks

    A security audit evaluates only the code and systems present at that moment. Once developers add features, modify functionality, or integrate new services, the platform’s attack surface changes. These updates can introduce vulnerabilities that the original audit never saw, leaving the platform exposed despite a previously clean report.

    2. Audits Have Limited Scope

    Audits typically focus on a predefined set of contracts, systems, or infrastructure. They cannot examine every external service or blockchain protocol a platform relies on. Vulnerabilities lurking outside the audit’s scope—such as in third-party oracles or cross-chain bridges—may go undetected.

    3. Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    Attackers sometimes discover security flaws that no researcher has yet identified. These zero-day exploits can be used before developers have a chance to patch them. No audit can guarantee protection against threats that do not yet exist.

    4. Human Error Undermines Technical Security

    Even the strongest code can be bypassed through mistakes by employees, developers, or users. Phishing attacks, leaked credentials, misconfigurations, and unsafe operational practices give attackers a way in. In these cases, the audited software remains sound, but the people and processes around it become the weak link.

    5. Smart Contract Interactions Create Hidden Flaws

    Crypto platforms often rely on multiple smart contracts and protocols that interact. A platform may appear secure on its own, but a flaw in a connected contract can expose it. Unexpected interactions between contracts can also create attack vectors that a standalone audit would miss.

    6. Compromised Private Keys Bypass All Code Protections

    Security audits focus on code, not on key management. If attackers steal or compromise administrative private keys or privileged credentials, they can move funds or make unauthorized changes. Strong code cannot protect a platform when critical keys are already in the wrong hands.

    7. Attack Techniques Are Constantly Evolving

    Cybersecurity is a moving target. Attackers continuously develop new methods, meaning a platform secure today may face different threats tomorrow. Security audits should be seen as one layer of defense, not a permanent guarantee. Continuous monitoring, regular testing, rapid patching, strict access controls, and solid incident-response plans remain essential.

  • Bitcoin Sidechains Explained: Mechanics, Benefits, and Security Risks

    Bitcoin Sidechains Explained: Mechanics, Benefits, and Security Risks

    What Is a Bitcoin Sidechain?

    A Bitcoin sidechain is an independent blockchain that connects to the Bitcoin network through a mechanism called a two-way peg. Users lock their BTC on the main Bitcoin blockchain, and in return, they receive an equivalent asset on the sidechain. When they want to move back, the sidechain asset is destroyed or locked, and the original BTC becomes available again. This design allows Bitcoin-linked value to operate under different rules without altering Bitcoin itself.

    Features That Sidechains Enable

    Because sidechains operate independently, developers can introduce functionality that would be difficult to implement directly on Bitcoin. For example, Liquid—a popular sidechain—supports confidential transactions and issued assets. Other sidechains can offer smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, or faster payment settlement. Critically, if an experimental feature fails on a sidechain, Bitcoin’s consensus rules remain unchanged, preserving the main network’s security and stability.

    The Security Trade-Off

    Moving BTC to a sidechain introduces new trust assumptions. Liquid, for instance, relies on a federation of 15 functionaries, with an 11-of-15 quorum responsible for block production and managing the Bitcoin peg. Users therefore depend on federation security rather than Bitcoin’s mining-based security. This distinction became highly visible in September 2026, when approximately 4,000 BTC (worth around USD 320 million) was withdrawn from Liquid’s federation wallet during a security incident. Liquid stated that the cryptographic key involved had not been compromised. Nevertheless, the incident underscores that BTC on a sidechain should not be treated as carrying the same operational risk as BTC held directly on Bitcoin.

    Withdrawal Dependencies

    Withdrawing BTC from a sidechain also depends on the operators. Liquid’s standard peg-in requires 102 Bitcoin confirmations (roughly 17 hours), while peg-outs are managed by federation participants and typically take 11 to 35 minutes. If enough functionaries become unavailable, the sidechain may stop producing blocks until quorum is restored. Users must be aware of these potential delays and dependencies.

    Final Thoughts

    Sidechains allow Bitcoin-linked capital to access functionality unavailable on the base network without changing Bitcoin itself. However, additional functionality comes with additional trust assumptions. Before moving BTC to a sidechain, investors should examine who controls the peg, how assets can be recovered, how consensus works, and what happens if operators fail. Treating sidechain BTC as equivalent to self-custodied Bitcoin is not advisable.

    Also Read: Liquid Network Recovers 3,400 BTC After Major Weekend Exploit

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What is a Bitcoin sidechain? A Bitcoin sidechain is a separate blockchain connected to Bitcoin through a two-way peg. Users lock BTC and receive an equivalent sidechain asset that can later be redeemed.
    2. How does Liquid Network work with Bitcoin? Liquid allows BTC to be converted into L-BTC for faster settlement and additional features. Its federation manages the peg and block production using a 15-functionary structure.
    3. Are Bitcoin sidechains as secure as Bitcoin itself? Not necessarily. Sidechains use their own consensus, operators, and peg mechanisms, introducing risks that do not exist when holding BTC directly on Bitcoin.
    4. What risks come with moving BTC to a sidechain? Main risks include federation failure, peg disruption, software bugs, and temporary withdrawal problems. Sidechain assets depend on more than Bitcoin’s mining security alone.
    5. Why do people use Bitcoin sidechains? Sidechains can provide faster settlement, confidential transactions, issued assets, and smart-contract functionality, expanding Bitcoin-linked use cases without changing Bitcoin’s base consensus rules.
  • Pi Network Protocol 27 Upgrade Nears as PI Faces Ongoing Supply Pressure

    Pi Network Protocol 27 Upgrade Nears as PI Faces Ongoing Supply Pressure

    Pi Network is gearing up for its Protocol 27 mainnet activation on September 15, while PI continues to trade well below its 2025 peak amid daily token unlocks. The upcoming upgrade introduces smart-contract authentication, automated market maker (AMM) tools, RPC infrastructure, and decentralized exchange (DEX) features. At the same time, the project is shifting its focus from mobile mining toward utility, developer activity, and broader Open Network usage.

    Protocol 27 Brings New Infrastructure to Mainnet

    Pi Network started in 2019 as a phone-based mining app, years before PI became tradable through Open Network. Since then, 14 million users have migrated to the network, according to provided figures.

    Protocol 27 is the final planned protocol change in the project’s current development sequence. The upgrade will introduce smart-contract authentication, automated market maker liquidity pools, RPC server infrastructure, and decentralized exchange functionality.

    The decentralized exchange attracted 242,000 testers on testnet before the planned mainnet activation. Can Protocol 27 turn Pi Network’s large migrated user base into sustained on-chain activity?

    PI Price Faces Supply Pressure Without Token Burns

    PI closed August at USD 0.0909, more than 97% below the USD 2.99 high reached when Open Network enabled external trading in February 2025. As a result, price performance remains a major part of the current Pi Network discussion.

    Meanwhile, roughly 6.5 million PI unlock each day. Pi Network has never burned tokens, meaning its current supply structure does not include a mechanism that permanently removes tokens from circulation.

    A recent Pi Update post raised the possibility of a transparent token burn in the future. Still, Pi Network has not introduced such a system, so any potential effect on scarcity remains hypothetical.

    Developer Updates Shift Focus Toward Pi Network Utility

    Pi Network presented utility as the project’s next phase now that Open Network is live. The network’s focus has therefore moved beyond collecting tokens through mobile mining toward using PI across applications.

    The additions include local storage support, staking data linked to specific applications, file sharing, video sharing, and updated documentation for developers.

    These developer changes do not alter PI supply, nor do they include a new exchange listing or partnership. Meanwhile, PI already trades on OKX, Bitget, Gate.io, and MEXC.

    Binance has not listed PI despite an 86.8% community vote supporting a listing. Protocol 27 instead centers on network infrastructure as Pi Network prepares for its scheduled September 15 mainnet activation.