Pi Protocol 22 node upgrade deadline nears as Testnet subscription smart contracts roll out
Pi Network is accelerating its utility push with subscription smart contracts on Testnet and a near-term operational deadline for Mainnet.
On April 17, Pi introduced subscription smart contracts in Testnet to enable “real, recurring, utility-driven” on-chain services. PiRC2 then opened the subscription contract design to technical review and community feedback before any Mainnet rollout, including a model where users approve a defined budget without re-signing each billing event. The project also says external auditing services are reviewing the contract.
Traders should watch Protocol 22 closely. PiCoreTeam messaging indicates Mainnet nodes must upgrade to Protocol 22 by April 27 to stay connected, making Protocol 22 a key catalyst for network stability and any subsequent smart-contract functionality.
Despite the progress, PI price action remains muted. CoinGecko data shows PI around $0.1687 on April 23, with roughly $11.17M 24h volume and a market cap near $1.73B. With PI still far below its Feb 26, 2025 all-time high, market participants appear to be waiting for Protocol 22 execution and any Testnet-to-Mainnet traction before pricing in upside.
Neutral
The news is primarily a technical roadmap update with a clear operational deadline (Protocol 22 by April 27) and expanded Testnet smart-contract functionality (subscription contracts + PiRC2 review). However, market reaction so far is muted: PI trades around $0.1687 with no clear momentum after the announcements. That suggests traders are waiting for Protocol 22 execution and any meaningful Testnet-to-Mainnet traction before taking bullish positions. Near-term volatility could rise around the upgrade date, but the current price signal points to a neutral-to-wait-and-see stance rather than an immediate bullish repricing.