$PI Pi Day Announcement March 20, 2026 (Follow me for timely official updates.)

Pi continues to iterate on its ecosystem token design released on the mainnet on the first anniversary of the Open Network. Given the importance of the ecosystem token layer within the Pi ecosystem, and that Pi Launchpad is the primary pathway for high-quality ecosystem tokens aligned with Pi's vision to launch on the mainnet, Pi has released a Request for Comments (PiRC) to solicit community feedback.

Now, the initial version of Pi Launchpad implementing the PiRC Design 1 mechanisms has been released on the testnet as part of the Pi App, accompanied by test tokens. Since Launchpad introduces new concepts to many Pioneers and its mechanisms differ from typical token issuances in Web3, it is first launching on the testnet to allow the community to familiarize itself with how it operates before mainnet launch. For Pioneers who have not yet read the PiRC on GitHub, this is also a learning process for understanding the new Launchpad structure and many DeFi processes. The data and feedback collected during this period will help refine and improve the product before mainnet launch. The Pi Launchpad application can be accessed through Pi Browser.

As introduced at the Open Network Anniversary celebration, ecosystem tokens issued through Pi Launchpad are designed to promote user acquisition and product utility, rather than primarily for fundraising. Under this model, projects issue tokens as a tool for user acquisition and directly integrate these tokens into product functionality, such as enabling access, payments, rewards, governance within the app, etc. The proceeds from Pi token issuances do not belong to the issuing project, but instead enter a liquidity pool containing ecosystem tokens, thereby establishing a healthy liquidity foundation from the start.

For projects, ecosystem tokens become an effective mechanism for attracting real users, collecting feedback, and validating and iterating products. Traditionally, without the Web3 tool of tokens, user acquisition costs are typically high, and the cold start problem is especially thorny for startups. The Pi ecosystem provides such tools and support for businesses wanting to promote their innovative products to a large global user base that includes both crypto-native users and mainstream audiences, many of whom are verified, while inviting users to participate in the product iteration and development journey. By combining tokens with real product experiences, projects can not only enhance token utility but also enable users to participate in the development process earlier, test product features and functionality, verify whether the product truly meets user needs, and develop products more effectively.

From the Pioneer perspective, the Launchpad provides a transparent and merit-based pathway for token acquisition. Pioneers can choose to participate in different projects, acquire tokens through the Launchpad mechanism, and then use these tokens in products. This forms a feedback loop: users interact with the product, evaluate its utility, and urge projects to provide useful services. Unlike Web 2 products, users not only use products provided by the company but can also hold and use tokens issued by the company at an early stage.

Projects launched through Pi Launchpad should be product-first. In other words, projects should already have a functional application so that tokens can be put to immediate use upon release.

The Launchpad mechanism also supports the development of decentralized exchanges (DEX) within the Pi ecosystem. While Pi DEX has currently launched on the testnet, a healthy trading environment depends on legitimate tokens with substantive utility and liquidity. Pi Launchpad helps build a token issuance channel with these characteristics by supporting product-first projects to issue ecosystem tokens and directing Pi proceeds to liquidity pools containing these tokens, ultimately launching on Pi DEX to meet liquidity needs. This structure helps prevent the DEX and AMM on the mainnet from being flooded with meaningless and highly speculative tokens, thereby avoiding early attacks on them. This approach enables the creation of tokens within the ecosystem that align with Pi's utility philosophy and helps achieve the goal of providing a safe platform for Pioneer participants while supporting more robust trading activity.