- Pi Network surged 20% after announcing smart contract support and protocol upgrade.
- Institutional exposure grew with Valour Funds ETP launch and BTCC Swapfone listing.
- Supply pressure eased as token unlocks dropped nearly 50% compared to August.
Pi Network’s PI lit up the charts this week with a sharp rally. The token soared 20%, reaching $0.38 and touching a three-week peak. For months, bearish pressure weighed heavily, but this surge brought renewed optimism. Trading activity spiked, with volume climbing over 30% to $65.2 million. What made this move remarkable is that it came as many cryptocurrencies bled. While the broader market stumbled, Pi Network found new strength and direction.
Expanding Ecosystem Sparks Momentum
PI Network’s rally was fueled by fresh developments across the Pi Network ecosystem. The release of Linux nodes expanded support to three major operating systems. Broader compatibility now makes node management easier, with automatic updates smoothing technical barriers. For many developers, this update unlocked a wider door into the network. The project also announced plans for a major protocol upgrade.
Version 23, scheduled for September 3, will integrate smart contracts without middlemen. This shift pushes Pi closer to the standard set by leading blockchains. Beyond functionality, Version 23 includes real-world asset support, from stocks to real estate. By embracing tangible markets, Pi aims to bridge crypto with traditional finance. Momentum also gathered around institutional adoption.
Valour Funds rolled out eight cryptocurrency exchange-traded products in Europe. Among them, Pi coin secured a dedicated listing. Through the Valour Pi Swedish Krona ETP, investors gain regulated access within familiar financial systems. This move could channel institutional liquidity into Pi, strengthening demand across the market.
Supply Dynamics and Technical Strength
September brought relief on the supply side. The network scheduled the release of 161.73 million PI tokens, nearly half of August’s unlock volume. Reduced supply pressure historically supports price stability and builds conditions for upward momentum. With fewer tokens flooding the market, buyer demand gains more influence. At the same time, fresh listings expanded access to new traders.
Every additional trading venue widened the pool of potential investors. More exposure meant greater liquidity, allowing the token to resist market-wide declines. Technical indicators signaled growing optimism. The Relative Strength Index climbed toward 48.55, reflecting increasing buying interest. Analysts highlighted $0.4120 as the next resistance level, a potential gateway to further gains.
Despite these positives, PI still trades nearly 87% below historic highs. That discount positions the token as an underdog with room to grow. The upcoming Version 23 upgrade could provide the next spark. Security improvements, performance boosts, and open-source elements strengthen both trust and functionality. If executed smoothly, the upgrade may solidify Pi’s recent breakout as more than a short-term bounce.