- Pi Network has released a Linux Node, expanding support beyond Windows and macOS.
- Protocol v23 introduces on-chain KYC and paves the way for smart contracts.
- More than 14.82 million users have completed verification, boosting adoption and mainnet readiness.
The native token of Pi Network, Pi Coin (PI), has recorded its sharpest gains in weeks after an extended bearish period.
At the time of writing, PI was trading at $0.3534, up 3.2% over the last 24 hours.
The rally followed Pi Network’s announcement of a major infrastructure upgrade and the release of a Node software version compatible with Linux, a development widely viewed as a meaningful step toward mainnet activation.
Linux Node release strengthens the network’s foundation
Publishing a Pi Node for Linux represents a turning point for the project.
Until now, Node software was limited to macOS and Windows, excluding many operators and exchanges that depend on Linux-based environments.
By adding Linux support, the network opens its infrastructure to a broader range of users, service providers, and partners.
The Linux Node is designed to run standard, auto-updating software to reduce manual maintenance burdens.
This approach improves network stability and reduces the risk of fragmentation.
For exchanges that have long requested Linux compatibility, the update lowers integration barriers and increases the likelihood of smoother listings in the future.
Protocol upgrades prepare Pi for smart contracts
The Linux release coincides with preparations for one of Pi Network’s most anticipated blockchain upgrades.
Pi has rolled out protocol version 23, which implements on-chain Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and paves the way for smart contract support through a Stellar protocol 23 upgrade.
The transition will occur in stages, beginning with Testnet1, followed by Testnet2, and ultimately moving to mainnet in the coming weeks.
The Pi Core team has cautioned that brief outages may occur during the transition, but users will receive advance notice.
Pi has released a Linux Node version and is preparing protocol upgrades. The highly requested Linux Node will provide standardized and easier infrastructure for partners and services. https://t.co/N9xIujj97I
There will also be an upcoming rollout of protocol upgrades that begins…
— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) August 27, 2025
Once complete, the upgrades are expected to align Pi more closely with global identity standards, including ERC-3643, while enabling a new wave of decentralized applications to be built on its infrastructure.
Growing adoption and verified user base
Beyond technical improvements, Pi Network is also expanding its verified community.
The team recently confirmed that more than 14.82 million users have completed KYC verification and migrated toward mainnet.
This milestone is important because it enables integrations that require verified identities, making Pi more attractive to potential partners, regulated service providers, and exchanges.
The push for on-chain KYC mirrors a broader trend in the crypto industry where identity and compliance are increasingly viewed as prerequisites for mass adoption.
By embedding KYC into its blockchain, Pi positions itself as a network that seeks to bridge decentralized participation with regulatory trust.
Pi Network price outlook improves
Pi Coin’s price action has reflected optimism around these upgrades.
The token rebounded from a recent all-time low of $0.3312 reached days earlier and returned to the $0.35 range.
Technical indicators suggest a potential momentum shift, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) showing bullish divergence against the recent lows.
If buying pressure persists, analysts see room for PI to test resistance near $0.40, which aligns with the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA).
A successful breakout above that level could open the door for a larger rally toward $0.60 in the coming months, particularly if exchange listings materialize.
On the downside, PI remains sensitive to broader market sentiment and Bitcoin’s movements.
Prolonged weakness across the crypto market could push PI back toward support near $0.30.