Pi Network introduced PiRC1, a new token issuance framework launched under Protocol 22 on April 22, which prevents projects from issuing tokens unless they can first prove a working application with real user demand, a direct attempt to filter speculative launches from the ecosystem.
summary
- Pi Network launched PiRC1 on April 22 under the V22 protocol, requiring any project seeking to issue ecosystem tokens to demonstrate a real, working application with real user demand before launch.
- Token proceeds under PiRC1 are directed to perpetual liquidity pools rather than directly to project teams, adding a structural safeguard against misuse of pooled funds.
- The framework arrives alongside the April 27 node upgrade deadline for Protocol 22, and full smart contract functionality under Protocol 23 is expected to follow in May.
Pi Network launched PiRC1, its token design framework, on April 22 as part of the V22 protocol upgrade. AS HOKANEWS.COM I mentionedthe basic principle of PiRC1 is straightforward: only applications that demonstrate real use cases and tangible user demand within the Pi ecosystem will be eligible to participate in the token issuance. The framework is designed to address one of the most pressing issues in the cryptocurrency industry, which is the proliferation of low-value tokens created primarily as speculative instruments rather than functional components of the true digital economy.
The Pi Network’s PiRC1 token issuance framework sets a new standard for ecosystem projects
Under PiRC1, no project can launch a token without first having a working implementation. Token proceeds do not go directly to the project teams, but are instead channeled into permanent liquidity pools, tied to Pi Coin as the ecosystem’s base currency. This design separates fundraising from direct project control, providing a structural safeguard that prevents teams from withdrawing cash after launch, a pattern that has caused widespread losses across Web3. Pi’s network of KYC-verified users adds an additional layer of accountability, as developers and users operate under verified identities rather than anonymously. Such as crypto.news I mentionedPiRC1 has been released alongside a new PiRC2 document that opens up the smart contract sign-up form for technical review and community feedback. PI was trading at around $0.1687 as of April 23, with a market cap of $1.73 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of $11.17 million.
How PiRC1 fits into the broader protocol upgrade roadmap
PiRC1 was introduced under the V22 protocol as a direct follow-up to the V21 and V21.2 network upgrades that enhanced the Pi infrastructure and prepared it for smart contract readiness. Protocol 22 also carries an urgent node deadline: same as crypto.news trackingMain network node operators must upgrade to Protocol 22 by April 27 to stay connected to the network. The next major milestone is Protocol 23, expected in May 2026, which will offer full smart contract functionality to developers. Together, the PiRC1 token framework and Protocol 23 smart contract tools represent what Pi Network is positioning as the transition from a mining-focused network to a regulated Web3 ecosystem capable of supporting real-world business applications.
What PiRC1 means for PI’s market position
Zheng Diaofan, co-founder of Pi, first introduced PiRC1 as a proposal in late February, stressing that the tokens should function as tools within applications rather than stand-alone financial instruments. The framework’s open review period on GitHub and Google Forms gave the developer community a chance to shape the final design before launch. Such as crypto.news Notarizedthe path of the PI market in 2026 was largely dependent on whether the technical milestones of the network translated into actual on-chain usage. Each previous roadmap release has largely been treated as a news selling event by the market. Whether PiRC1 changes this dynamic will depend on how many developers create effective applications within the framework and how quickly user interaction with those applications becomes measurable.
Pi Network said it plans to continue expanding the PiRC1 framework with feedback from its developer community, and has identified smart contract support for Protocol 23 as the next major technical deliverable expected in May.
