Pi Network Founders Outline Priorities: KYC, Migration, and Developer Tools in Focus

Pi Network co-founder Nicolas Kokkalis provided a video update on February 26, 2026, outlining the project’s current priorities, including accelerating KYC verification, Mainnet migrations, and expanding developer tools, as the network marks one year since its Open Network launch.

The update comes as Pi coin trades between $0.16 and $0.19 amid mixed community sentiment, with official metrics showing approximately 17.7 million users have completed KYC and 16.2 million Pioneers have migrated to Mainnet.

Founder Update Outlines Key Priorities

Kokkalis shared the update just days after Pi Network’s first anniversary of its Open Network launch, emphasizing the team’s focus on items that matter most to users. He identified KYC verification and Mainnet migration as the top operational priorities, noting ongoing work to increase processing speed and unblock users waiting in queue.

Improvements in automation and AI-assisted verification are expected to help scale the system, according to Kokkalis. The network is also preparing to roll out KYC validator rewards, anticipated by the end of the current quarter, aimed at strengthening the verification process and improving throughput.

The update follows a recent Q&A session with both co-founders, Chengdiao Fan and Kokkalis, who answered community questions about Pi Network’s strategy and differentiation from other blockchain projects. Fan described Pi as “nonconformist,” highlighting its mobile-first approach, absence of an ICO, free mining model, and tens of millions of verified users worldwide.

KYC and Mainnet Migration Progress

Official metrics released around the Open Network anniversary indicate significant ecosystem growth over the past year. Approximately 17.7 million users have now completed KYC verification, while more than 16.2 million Pioneers have migrated to Mainnet.

The ecosystem has expanded to include over 300 Mainnet applications and more than 421,000 active nodes. Founders have consistently emphasized that Pi’s model differs from many crypto projects through its focus on verified real users and building real utility rather than chasing speculation.

Despite these metrics, some users continue to express frustration about delays. Community replies under the update show many Pioneers are still waiting for full migration or second migration access, highlighting ongoing challenges in scaling user onboarding.

Developer Tools and Ecosystem Expansion

Beyond user onboarding, Pi Network is advancing efforts on the builder side. Kokkalis said the team is improving software development kits (SDKs) and developer tools to simplify app creation. The Pi App Studio is expanding with more AI-assisted features designed to lower technical barriers for developers building on the network.

A key initiative mentioned is the PiRC1 ecosystem token design proposal, which aims to link token creation directly to real app usage rather than pure fundraising. The framework is intended to encourage healthier projects and more sustainable growth, with the proposal currently open for community feedback.

Kokkalis also noted ongoing work on Nodes, protocol upgrades, and components such as DEX functionality and liquidity pools, indicating continued technical development across multiple fronts.

Market Context and Community Sentiment

Despite steady ecosystem metrics, market sentiment around Pi Network remains divided. Pi Coin has dropped sharply from earlier highs and currently trades in the $0.16 to $0.19 range, reflecting recent volatility and mixed community reactions.

Some community members praise the team’s deliberate, utility-first approach and long-term vision. Others remain skeptical and openly criticize the pace of delivery, particularly regarding migration delays and the gap between user base size and active economic activity.

The co-founders addressed Pi’s emphasis on real-world utility during their Q&A, with Fan explaining that Pi’s vision has always centered on enabling tokens to participate in genuine economic activity rather than relying solely on abstract financial mechanisms. She described Pi’s fully KYC-verified user base as essential for supporting real-world assets and meaningful value creation across the ecosystem.

FAQ: Understanding Pi Network’s Current Status

Q: How many users have completed KYC and migrated to Mainnet?

A: According to official metrics, approximately 17.7 million users have completed KYC verification, while more than 16.2 million Pioneers have migrated to Mainnet. The ecosystem includes over 300 Mainnet applications and 421,000 active nodes.

Q: What is Pi Network’s current price and market performance?

A: Pi Coin is trading between $0.16 and $0.19 as of late February 2026, reflecting a decline from earlier highs and ongoing volatility. Market sentiment remains mixed, with some community members supportive of the team’s long-term approach and others critical of delivery pace.

Q: What are the team’s immediate development priorities?

A: The team’s top priorities include accelerating KYC verification and Mainnet migration through improved automation and AI-assisted tools, rolling out KYC validator rewards, enhancing developer tools and SDKs, and advancing protocol upgrades including DEX functionality and liquidity pools.

Q: How does Pi Network differentiate itself from other blockchain projects?

A: Pi Network emphasizes its mobile-first mining approach, absence of an initial coin offering (ICO), free mining model, and fully KYC-verified user base. The founders describe the project as focused on building real-world utility and genuine economic activity rather than speculation, with a long-term vision of enabling tokens to participate in meaningful value creation.