Pi Network price outlook as Protocol Upgrade deadline nears on March 1

Pi ecosystem tokens prioritize utility and user acquisition over speculative fundraising, debuting from Testnet to Mainnet rollout.

Pi (PI) Network has announced the incorporation of ecosystem tokens on its Mainnet, with co-founder Chengdiao Fan detailing the initiative’s structure and objectives in a video presentation, according to reports from cryptocurrency news outlets.

The new assets are tokens created by community members and issued on the Pi blockchain, Fan stated. The tokens have been released on the Testnet, with their Mainnet launch currently in final stages, according to the announcement.

Fan addressed the design framework for the new tokens, stating that a misalignment exists between token design and innovation in the broader cryptocurrency market. “Tokens on most other crypto networks function primarily as tools to raise capital. Yet, despite this approach, most projects frequently fail to provide real utility and innovation,” Fan said in the video, characterizing the issue as a structural problem.

The co-founder described Pi Network’s approach as focused on integrating cryptocurrency tokens for products and innovations, with an emphasis on utility as a driver for long-term stability and success for blockchain projects.

According to Fan, the tokens are designed to enable projects to acquire users for their products through Pi launch programs. “Projects issue tokens to fulfill the need to acquire users for their products and integrate these tokens for utility-based use cases inside their products,” Fan explained.

Users will receive access to the tokens through the launch programs and will be able to utilize them within products, according to the announcement. Fan noted that developing user-engaging programs within a startup ecosystem typically represents a lengthy and expensive process, but stated that costs can be reduced through Web3 tools from Pi Network, including the ecosystem tokens.

The framework allows users to hold products accountable for their services, Fan said, adding that this structure ensures value for users as underperforming products would naturally phase out over time.

“Pi ecosystem tokens are not about copying existing token models. In fact, we have deliberately sought to avoid the traditional approach. Because many of the problems in Web3 stem from how tokens have been traditionally designed. And this design will also evolve as it gets iterated in practice,” Fan stated.

The announcement comes as Pi Network continues to develop its ecosystem amid ongoing discussions within its online community regarding project development timelines.

Pi trades near $0.17, roughly -91% below its $2.99 all‑time high, after slipping about -8% over the past week despite a modest -0.6% 24h move and ~$15m in daily volume; with Mainnet upgrades, migration, and validator rewards ramping into early March, price action into March 1 will likely hinge on whether this bullish-flag structure resolves higher toward the $0.20–$0.21 resistance zone or fades back toward the $0.15 support area as traders reassess the upgrade timeline and on-chain positioning.