Why did the price of PI fall?

Pi Network’s price dropped 7.64% in the last 24 hours to $0.188, approaching its all-time low of $0.172 from October 2025. This decline follows a broader crypto market downturn (-2.54% total market cap) but highlights specific challenges for PI: daily token unlocks and low liquidity.

1. Global Economic Tensions + Market Worries – Trade disputes between the U.S. and EU shook investor confidence.
2. Token Unlocks – 130 million PI tokens will become available in January 2026, increasing selling pressure.
3. Technical Signals – Price charts and indicators suggest further downward movement.

In-Depth Analysis

1. Global Economic Tensions (Negative Impact)

Summary:
On January 19, 2026, the U.S. imposed 10% tariffs on eight EU countries, prompting an emergency EU meeting and threats of retaliation. While the crypto market initially ignored this news, Asian markets later reacted with a sell-off. PI, already vulnerable, fell alongside major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

What this means for PI:
Because PI has low liquidity—with a turnover rate of 1.77% compared to the market average of about 3.5%—it is especially sensitive to global economic shocks. Trading volume surged to $27.8 million in 24 hours (a 293% increase from the previous day), driven by panic selling.

2. Token Unlocks Adding Selling Pressure

Summary:
In January 2026, 130 million PI tokens will be unlocked, compared to 190 million unlocked in December 2025. Data from PiScanUnlock shows that roughly 4.6 million PI tokens are released daily, with many quickly hitting exchanges.

What this means for PI:
The circulating supply of PI has increased by 11.4% over the past 90 days (from 8.38 billion to 9.34 billion tokens). Since demand has remained steady, this growing supply creates an imbalance. According to Crypto News Focus, PI’s 24-hour volume-to-supply ratio of 0.33% indicates weak ability to absorb this new supply.

What to watch:
The next major token unlock is 5.3 million PI on January 20, which will test whether buyers are willing to step in.

3. Technical Analysis Points to More Downside

Summary:
PI’s price fell below the key support zone of $0.20 to $0.205 (levels last seen in November 2025). The Relative Strength Index (RSI14) is at 35.47, which is neutral but trending downward. The MACD histogram at -0.000407 confirms bearish momentum.

What this means:

• Fibonacci retracement levels suggest that if PI closes below $0.183 (a recent low), it could drop further to $0.172, the all-time low.
• Volume patterns show that sell-offs happen with higher trading volumes than price recoveries, indicating stronger selling pressure (for example, the January 19 drop to $0.183 occurred on $14.2 million in hourly volume, while the rebound was weak).

Conclusion

PI’s recent price decline is the result of a combination of global economic fears, ongoing token unlocks increasing supply, and technical signals pointing to further weakness. The $0.172 level is the last major support, but unless buying volume increases significantly, the risk of new lows remains high.

Key question: Will PI manage to hold above $0.20, or will the 130 million tokens unlocked in January trigger a larger sell-off?

What could affect the price of PI?

Pi’s price is caught between increasing token supply and efforts to grow its ecosystem.

1. Token Unlocks – About 130 million PI tokens will enter circulation in January 2026, which could lead to ongoing selling pressure.
2. Utility Adoption – New developer tools aim to make it easier to use PI in real-world apps, but progress is still slow.
3. Regulatory Clarity – Compliance with EU rules (MiCA) might open doors for Pi to be listed on European exchanges.

Deep Dive

1. Token Unlock Overhang (Potential Negative Impact)

Overview:
In January 2026, over 130 million PI tokens (valued around $24.7 million) will become available, following 190 million PI unlocked in December 2025. On average, about 4.36 million PI tokens ($800,000 worth) will be unlocked daily, sometimes exceeding 5.5 million. Historically, 72% of these unlocked tokens are quickly moved to exchanges within 24 hours (PiScan).

What this means:
This steady increase in available tokens can put downward pressure on PI’s price. The turnover ratio of 1.73% indicates limited liquidity, which can cause bigger price swings. Unless there’s enough demand to absorb these new tokens, the price could hover around $0.15 to $0.18.

2. Ecosystem Utility & Developer Momentum (Mixed Outlook)

Overview:
A January 2026 update introduced a unified software development kit (SDK) that reduces the time needed to integrate Pi payments to under 10 minutes. More than 30 apps, like Pi Map and Fruity Pi, now accept PI, but daily active users are still under 100,000 (Pi Blockexplorer).

What this means:
Real-world use of PI is still in early stages. While easier integration might attract more merchants, PI’s price depends on steady transaction activity, not just speculative trading. Currently, daily trading volume is $27.3 million, which is only 0.17% of the total market value—far too low to support strong utility-driven growth.

3. Regulatory Tailwinds & Exchange Listings (Potential Positive Impact)

Overview:
Pi Network says it complies with the EU’s MiCA regulations, aiming to get listed on regulated European exchanges in 2026. A 2025 partnership with Valour ETP, which manages $18.6 million in assets, set the stage for institutional investors to access PI (Pi Blog).

What this means:
Getting listed on exchanges like OKX Europe could improve liquidity and increase PI’s credibility. However, the timeline is uncertain, and any delays could hurt community confidence. Success depends on the Pi Core Team delivering the necessary Know Your Business (KYB) and Know Your Customer (KYC) systems to meet MiCA’s strict rules.

Conclusion

PI’s short-term price depends on balancing the pressure from new tokens entering the market with real growth in how PI is used. Watch the $0.18–$0.20 price range closely—if it breaks below this, prices could fall faster; if it holds, it might indicate buyers stepping in. Long-term, regulatory approvals or a big increase in app usage could boost PI’s value, but for now, caution is advised.

Will EU exchange listings happen before the token unlocks flood the market?

What are people saying about PI?

The buzz around Pi (PI) combines excitement about new technology with concerns about a large number of coins entering the market. Here’s the key tension:

1. Technical traders are watching for a price move above $0.49, which could lead to a 35% gain.
2. Some investors worry that upcoming token releases—totaling 630 million coins—could flood the market and push prices down.
3. New developer tools now allow Pi payments to be added to apps in just 10 minutes, potentially boosting real-world use.
4. Legal issues and big sell-offs on exchanges could drive prices below $0.20.

Deep Dive

1. @johnmorganFL: Potential for Price Breakout

"Pi Network (PI) Price: Technical Breakout Signals Potential Bullish Trend"
– @johnmorganFL (34.9K followers · N/A · 2025-08-11 12:13 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This is a positive sign for Pi because if the price breaks above a key resistance level, it could attract traders looking for momentum. However, the price needs to stay above this level to confirm a lasting upward trend.

2. CoinMarketCap Community: Concerns Over Large Token Releases

"Massive Unlocks + Bearish Setup = High-Risk Zone Ahead... June: 263M Pi coins, July: 233M coins, August: 132M coins."
– Community member post (N/A followers · N/A · 2025-05-30 06:47 UTC)
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What this means: This is a warning sign because releasing 630 million new coins into the market could overwhelm demand. Unless new uses for Pi or exchange listings increase buying interest, this could lead to selling pressure and lower prices.

3. @arabcrypta: Easier Payment Integration Could Boost Use

"Developers can now integrate Pi payments into apps in under 10 minutes... From hype to real utility execution."
– @arabcrypta (1.3K followers · N/A · 2026-01-10 10:25 UTC)
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What this means: This is good news for Pi because making it easier for developers to add Pi payments to their apps could help the network grow. More merchants and users accepting Pi could increase demand for the token.

4. CryptoPotato: Legal Issues and Token Flood Could Hurt Price

"Lawsuit alleges Pi Network secretly sold billions of tokens... Over 182M PI will be released in the next 30 days."
– CryptoPotato article (N/A · 2025-12-10 13:31 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This is a negative factor because ongoing legal challenges and a large number of tokens becoming available soon could reduce investor confidence. This might lead to more selling and push prices below $0.20.

Conclusion

The outlook for Pi (PI) is mixed. Developers are excited about easier payment tools and growing utility, while traders are cautious about the impact of large token releases and legal uncertainties. Keep an eye on the 95 million tokens set to unlock in January—it will be a key test of how supply and demand balance out.

What is the latest news about PI?

Pi Network is facing ongoing challenges from daily token unlocks and slow user adoption, but new developer tools are designed to encourage more app integration and usage.

1. Daily Token Unlocks Add Selling Pressure (January 19, 2026) – About $1 million worth of PI tokens become available each day, which puts downward pressure on prices due to limited demand.
2. Technical Analysis Points to Possible Price Drop (January 18, 2026) – Chart patterns suggest PI could fall to a support level near $0.15 if it doesn’t break above resistance at $0.225.
3. New Developer Tools Speed Up Payment Integration (January 16, 2026) – A new software development kit (SDK) lets developers add Pi payment options to their apps in under 10 minutes.

In-Depth Look

1. Daily Token Unlocks Add Selling Pressure (January 19, 2026)

What’s happening: Every day, about $1 million worth of PI tokens are unlocked and enter the market. These tokens come from verified accounts moving their balances or unlocking previously restricted tokens. Since there are still 4.83 billion tokens locked, this steady flow increases supply faster than demand can absorb it.
Why it matters: This ongoing increase in available tokens tends to push prices down because sellers outnumber buyers. The market could stabilize if the unlock rate slows or if new reasons to buy PI emerge. (TokenPost)

2. Technical Analysis Points to Possible Price Drop (January 18, 2026)

What’s happening: PI’s price chart shows a bearish pennant pattern after falling out of a symmetrical triangle formation. It’s trading below its 50-day moving average, and trading volume is low. The price faces strong resistance around $0.225.
Why it matters: These technical signals suggest PI might retest its previous low near $0.15. However, if the price moves back above $0.225, this negative outlook could change. (Crypto.News)

3. New Developer Tools Speed Up Payment Integration (January 16, 2026)

What’s happening: Pi Network launched a new SDK that allows app developers to add Pi payment features quickly—often in less than 10 minutes. This builds on recent updates to Pi App Studio, which now supports no-code app creation and improved wallet functions.
Why it matters: Making it easier for developers to accept Pi payments could increase real-world use of the token over time. However, without more merchants accepting Pi or listings on major exchanges, the immediate effect on price may be limited. (Pi Core Team)

Conclusion

Pi Network’s future depends on balancing the steady release of tokens with growing demand driven by real-world use. The new developer tools offer a promising way to boost adoption, but it remains to be seen if this will overcome current price and liquidity challenges. Will faster payment integration finally spark organic growth?

What is expected in the development of PI?

Pi Network’s 2026 roadmap highlights key steps to grow its ecosystem and improve its technology:

1. Validator Payouts (Q1 2026) – The first rewards will be given to validators who help secure the network.
2. Supernode System with PiOS (2026) – Upgrading to a more advanced node setup to boost performance and security.
3. Full DEX Launch (2026) – Launching a decentralized exchange for easy Pi token trading.

Deep Dive

1. Validator Payouts (Q1 2026)

What’s happening: By the first quarter of 2026, Pi Network plans to start rewarding validators—these are participants who verify transactions and keep the network safe (source). This marks the completion of testing the reward system.
Why it matters: Paying validators encourages more people to run nodes, which helps keep the network stable and trustworthy. However, if payouts are delayed, validators might lose interest, which could slow down network growth.

2. Supernode System with PiOS (2026)

What’s happening: Pi Network will upgrade its infrastructure by introducing a “supernode” system powered by PiOS, its own operating system. This will improve how the network scales and secures itself (source). Currently, nodes have limited connectivity due to “closed ports,” which will change with this upgrade.
Why it matters: This upgrade is expected to support future apps and services on Pi, making the network more powerful. However, technical challenges could delay the rollout. Success depends on smoothly opening network ports and getting the community on board.

3. Full DEX Launch (2026)

What’s happening: Pi Network will launch its own decentralized exchange (DEX), allowing users to trade Pi tokens directly without relying on outside platforms (source). This follows improvements made in 2025 with Protocol v23.
Why it matters: Having a native exchange makes trading easier and increases the token’s usefulness. Still, if few people use it at first, the impact might be limited. Watching trading activity after launch will show how popular it becomes.

Conclusion

In 2026, Pi Network is focusing on strengthening its technology and expanding how its token is used. Validator rewards and the new decentralized exchange are key steps toward building a stronger, more active community. The big question is how quickly these changes will lead to real growth in the Pi ecosystem.

What updates are there in the PI code base?

Pi Network’s recent updates focus on improving its infrastructure and tools for developers.

1. DEX & AMM Improvements (Dec 18, 2025) – Better liquidity pools and easier trading experience.
2. Node v0.5.4 Update (Nov 6, 2025) – Fixed bugs and boosted performance.
3. App Studio Flexibility (Nov 14, 2025) – Allows exporting and importing code for app customization.

In-Depth Look

1. DEX & AMM Liquidity Pool Upgrade (Dec 18, 2025)

What happened: Pi Network enhanced its decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated market maker (AMM) systems to make trading smoother and more efficient.
Key improvements include fees that adjust based on how much the liquidity pool is used and less price slippage for big trades. The user interface for managing liquidity is now more user-friendly.
Why it matters: This is good news for PI because easier trading and better liquidity can attract more users and increase decentralized finance (DeFi) activity. (Source)

2. Node v0.5.4 Performance Fixes (Nov 6, 2025)

What happened: The latest Node software update fixed important bugs that affected mining rewards and the creation of containers, while also making the network more reliable.
The update improved port verification to make sure Nodes properly support blockchain validation. It also made it easier for Nodes to access resources like Pi App Studio.
Why it matters: This update is neutral for PI’s price—while it strengthens the network’s security and stability, its effect depends on how widely the network is adopted. (Source)

3. App Studio Code Customization (Nov 14, 2025)

What happened: Pi App Studio now lets developers download, edit, and re-upload app source code. This combines simple, low-code tools with more advanced development options.
This means non-technical users can create app prototypes using AI tools, while experienced developers can fine-tune the code outside the platform.
Why it matters: This is positive for PI because it makes it easier for more people to build apps, potentially speeding up the growth of the Pi ecosystem. (Source)

Conclusion

These updates show Pi Network’s commitment to building a stronger infrastructure and empowering developers. The DEX and AMM upgrades aim to improve liquidity, Node updates focus on network stability, and App Studio enhancements open app development to a wider audience. As Pi approaches its Open Mainnet launch, these improvements could help drive long-term growth.