According to an official announcement from Pi Network’s core team (Pi Core Team), all mainnet node operators must complete the Protocol 23 upgrade by May 15; nodes that fail to complete the upgrade before the deadline will be automatically disconnected, losing eligibility to verify transactions and to participate in rewards. The team also reminds that the time required for this upgrade is longer than in the past; node operators are advised to arrange it as soon as possible and not start operations only at the deadline.
Protocol 23 Core Technical Contents
Based on publicly available information, Protocol 23 is the largest technical upgrade since Pi Network opened its mainnet (Open Mainnet) in February 2025. It is built on Stellar Core v23.0.1, and its core function is the first introduction of full smart contract support, laying the technical foundation for developing native smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) on the Pi Network chain. This upgrade is also intended to improve network scalability, strengthen infrastructure, and support Pi Network’s Web3 functionality roadmap.
Requirements, Consequences, and Action Recommendations for Node Operators
According to the official notice from Pi Core Team, the requirements and consequences for this upgrade are as follows: all mainnet node operators must complete the Protocol 23 upgrade by May 15, 2026; nodes that do not upgrade will be automatically disconnected from the mainnet, and will not be able to continue participating in transaction verification or earning participation rewards; after completing the upgrade, nodes will remain in sync with the mainnet and can continue to participate in network operations.
Pi Core Team also clearly points out that the upgrade process will take longer than before; the official recommendation is that node operators start operations as early as possible to avoid transition disconnections or synchronization issues caused by resource contention when approaching the deadline.
FAQ
What is the deadline and the consequences for the Pi Network Protocol 23 upgrade?
According to the official notice from Pi Core Team, all mainnet node operators must complete the Protocol 23 upgrade by May 15, 2026; nodes that fail to complete the upgrade will be disconnected and will lose eligibility to verify transactions and participate in rewards.
What core technical features does Protocol 23 introduce?
Based on publicly available information, Protocol 23 is built on Stellar Core v23.0.1. It introduces full smart contract support for the first time on Pi Network, making native smart contract and dApp development on the Pi chain possible. It is also the largest technical upgrade since Pi Network opened its mainnet in February 2025.
Why does Pi Core Team recommend completing the upgrade early?
According to the official notice from Pi Core Team, the Protocol 23 upgrade will take more time than in previous upgrades. The official explicitly recommends that node operators not wait until the deadline to start operations, but should arrange the upgrade process in advance to avoid disconnection or synchronization problems as the deadline approaches.
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