$PI Pi Day Announcement - March 20, 2026 (Follow me for timely official updates on the latest developments.)

Pi has been continuously iterating on its ecosystem token design published on the mainnet, which was released on the first anniversary of the Open Network. Given the importance of the ecosystem token layer in the Pi ecosystem, and that Pi Launchpad is the primary pathway for ensuring high-quality ecosystem tokens align with Pi's vision and launch on the mainnet, Pi has released a Request for Comments (PiRC) to solicit community feedback.

Now, an initial version of Pi Launchpad implementing the mechanisms from PiRC Design 1 has been released on the testnet as a Pi App, complete with test tokens. Since Launchpad introduces new concepts to many Pioneer users and its mechanics differ from typical token issuances in Web3, it is being launched first on the testnet to allow the community to familiarize themselves with how it works before mainnet launch. For Pioneer users who have not yet read the PiRC on GitHub, this is also a learning process to understand 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 is accessible through the 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. In this model, project teams issue tokens as a tool for user acquisition and integrate these tokens directly into product features, such as enabling access, payments, rewards, governance, and more within the app. The proceeds from Pi token issuances do not belong to the issuing project; instead, they enter a liquidity pool containing ecosystem tokens, thereby establishing a healthy liquidity foundation from the start.

For projects, ecosystem tokens become an effective mechanism to attract genuine users, collect feedback, and validate and iterate on products. Traditionally, without this Web3 tool of tokens, user acquisition costs are typically high, and the cold start problem is particularly challenging for startups. The Pi ecosystem provides such tools and support to businesses seeking to promote their innovative products to a large global user base—including crypto-native users and mainstream audiences, many of whom are verified—while inviting users to participate in the journey of product iteration and development. By combining tokens with genuine product experiences, projects not only enhance token utility but also enable users to participate earlier in the development process, test product features and functionality, validate whether the product truly meets user needs, and develop products more effectively.

From a 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 the products. This creates a feedback loop: users interact with the product, assess its utility, and encourage project teams to provide useful services. Unlike Web2 products, users not only consume the product provided by the company but also hold and use tokens issued by the company at an early stage.

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

The Launchpad mechanism also supports the development of decentralized exchanges (DEX) within the Pi ecosystem. While the Pi DEX is currently live on the testnet, a healthy trading environment depends on legitimate tokens with substantial 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 the 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 the attacks that plagued them in their early stages. This approach allows for the creation of tokens in the ecosystem that align with Pi's philosophy of utility and helps achieve the goal of providing a safe platform for Pioneer participants while supporting more robust trading activities.