Pi Network Confirms Protocol 22 Upgrade, Eyes Smart Contracts and RWA Tokenization in May

• Pi Network announced that its Mainnet has been upgraded to Protocol 22.
• Protocol 23 is expected in May and could add smart contracts, RWA tokenization, Web3 identity tools, and dApp support.

Pi Network has confirmed that its Mainnet has successfully upgraded to Protocol 22, marking another technical step in its wider blockchain roadmap. The Pi Core Team announced the update on X and urged node operators to keep their systems up to date ahead of the next planned upgrade to Protocol 23.

The update follows the April node upgrade deadline and moves the network onto Stellar Core 22 technology. The change gives Pi Network a stronger backend structure as developers prepare the chain for more advanced functions. The upgrade also comes before the expected Protocol 23 rollout in May, which has drawn attention because it could bring smart contract support to the ecosystem.

Pi Network has spent years building a large user base through mobile mining, KYC verification, and community participation. The latest upgrade shifts more focus toward infrastructure. 

Protocol 22 also required node operators to update their systems to remain connected to the network. That step aligned the network around the new protocol version and prepared the system for the next phase. The Pi Core Team said the Mainnet upgrade was successful and added that instructions for the upcoming v23 upgrade would follow.

Analysts now expect Protocol 23 to arrive around May 11. This feature will move Pi beyond basic transfers and ecosystem rewards into a more flexible blockchain model.

Protocol 23 to Expand Pi Network’s Use Cases

Smart contracts remain one of the main tools behind decentralized finance, real-world asset tokenization, on-chain marketplaces, and Web3 apps. If Pi Network activates this feature in May, developers could gain a base for building applications that use Pi tokens within the network.

Protocol 23 may also support real-world asset tokenization, native decentralized exchange activity, .pi domains, on-chain KYC tools, and AI-focused applications. These planned features place Pi Network closer to blockchain platforms that support programmable ecosystems rather than simple payment networks.

The project has also linked its roadmap to artificial intelligence and human verification. Pi Network says its KYC-verified user base can support human-in-the-loop systems, where real people help with tasks that AI systems cannot complete reliably. More than 18 million users have completed KYC, while over 1 million participants have handled hundreds of millions of ecosystem tasks.

This human layer forms part of Pi Network’s broader pitch. The platform wants to provide verified human participation at scale, with payments handled through Pi tokens or future ecosystem tools. 

The timing also places Pi Network in focus before Consensus 2026, scheduled for May 5 to May 7. Pi founders are expected to discuss Web3, AI integration, and digital identity during the event. The Protocol 22 upgrade gives the project a more current technical base as it presents its roadmap to a wider blockchain audience.

At the time of writing, Pi token price action remains under pressure. PI trades near $0.17 at press time, with traders watching whether technical upgrades can support stronger demand.

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