Pi Network Price Rises Ahead of Protocol 26 Upgrade Despite Token Unlock Risks

Pi Network (PI) climbed 4.71% on July 30, outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market as Bitcoin slipped 0.74%. At the time of writing, PI traded around $0.082 after rebounding from $0.078, with investor sentiment improving ahead of the network’s upcoming Protocol 26 upgrade scheduled for August 11.

The latest price increase comes after the Pi Core Team instructed mainnet node operators to complete their upgrade to Protocol 26 before the deadline. The update follows the successful rollout of Protocol 25 on July 25 and is expected to be the second-to-last major protocol upgrade for the network.

According to the Pi Core Team, eight upgrades have already been completed in recent months, with the remaining updates designed to introduce the latest protocol features, performance improvements, and enhanced functionality. Despite the technical progress, some community members remain skeptical, pointing out that Pi Network’s price has fallen roughly 97% from its February 2025 peak of $2.98.

Market activity has also picked up, with CoinMarketCap data showing a 17% increase in trading volume. The surge suggests stronger buying interest even as the broader crypto market weakened following hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh.

From a technical perspective, Pi Network price is trading within a rising parallel channel, a pattern often associated with sustained bullish momentum. PI is currently testing resistance near $0.084, and a decisive breakout above this level could strengthen the case for a move toward the key psychological resistance at $0.10, a level last seen on July 20. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 62 and continues trending higher, indicating that bullish momentum remains intact.

However, upside risks are accompanied by significant supply pressure. Data from PiScan shows that approximately 128 million PI tokens, worth around $10 million at current prices, are scheduled to unlock in August 2026. A similar token release in July, when 103 million PI entered circulation, contributed to the cryptocurrency falling to a record low of $0.070.

If selling pressure intensifies, PI could lose support near $0.079 and retreat toward the lower Bollinger Band around $0.074, potentially delaying its recovery despite optimism surrounding the upcoming protocol upgrades.