Pi Network has set an August 11 deadline for all Mainnet node operators to upgrade to protocol version 26. The upgrade comes just weeks after the network migrated to version 25 earlier this month, a change the team did not publicly announce. The deadline is a key step for the project's ongoing development.
v26 Upgrade and the Unannounced v25
Pi Network's team told node operators they must complete the v26 upgrade before August 11 or risk being left behind. The previous version, v25, was rolled out in July but never disclosed on Pi Network's X account or website. Multiple users claimed the upgrade was in effect, but the lack of official communication left some operators in the dark. With v26, the network is pushing forward with its roadmap, though the quiet v25 rollout raised questions about transparency.
Pi Launchpad and Token Price
Alongside the upgrade news, Pi Network explained its Pi Launchpad model. Under the system, projects issue tokens to acquire users and integrate into product functionality. Proceeds from a token launch go into a liquidity pool paired with the ecosystem token. The PI token itself is trading around $0.08, rebounding after heavy bleeding prior to the announcements. Still, it's down roughly 97% from its all-time high of $3 registered last year.
Broader Market: Solana and Bitcoin Under Pressure
Solana (SOL) is hovering near $73.50, down 3% over the past week. Analyst Ali Martinez called the $73.75 level a make-or-break zone, warning that a sustained close below could trigger further selling pressure to $60 and even $50. X user Crypto Zenkai argued that buying SOL below $80 is like investing in Bitcoin in 2010, while Lucky told his nearly 2 million followers that SOL's plunge under $75 might represent a juicy dip.
Bitcoin (BTC) is around $63,800, a 2.5% weekly decline. Martinez claimed a drop to $60K would validate a classic inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, potentially leading to a rally to $74K if a confirmed breakout above $66,500 occurs. He predicted that BTC's bear market — assuming the 4-year cycle holds — may conclude between October 6 and October 16. Many industry participants expect BTC to plunge below $50,000 and even $40,000 before the bear market ends. X user BATMAN claimed that BTC's recent performance mirrors autumn 2022, which was followed by a collapse to roughly $16,000.
Pi Network's v26 deadline is August 11. For Solana and Bitcoin, the next few weeks will test whether key support levels hold or break.
