On April 1, 2026, Pi Network announced the launch of a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) server on its Testnet, marking a major step forward in its smart contract capabilities. The new server enables developers to simulate, test, and deploy smart contracts more efficiently on the Pi blockchain.
RPC Server Enhances Developer Experience
The RPC server acts as a critical gateway between the blockchain and decentralized applications (DApps). With this upgrade, developers can access Pi node data directly to build and test complex smart contracts, including NFT projects, escrow services, and subscription systems. Previously, Pi's Testnet lacked robust contract interaction tools; the RPC server now fills that gap, paving the way for a richer DApp ecosystem before mainnet launch.
The Pi Network team emphasized that the RPC server simplifies debugging and iteration within a controlled environment. This move is widely seen as a key transition from Pi's origins as a mobile mining social network toward a functional blockchain platform.
PI Token Under Pressure as Unlock Clock Ticks
Despite the technical progress, Pi Network's native token PI continues to trade weakly. After a sharp decline in mid-March, PI has struggled to recover, currently hovering below $0.18. Market concerns center on an upcoming token unlock event that will increase circulating supply and potentially amplify selling pressure.
Encouragingly, data suggests the volume of new tokens unlocking will decrease significantly by late April, which could alleviate some market anxiety. As of writing, PI is trading around $0.175, down 0.34% in 24 hours.
Overall, the RPC server launch demonstrates Pi Network's technological evolution, but the low token price indicates that the market awaits concrete ecosystem growth and application adoption. The interplay between unlock data and development milestones will likely determine PI's near-term trajectory.