Pi Network entered 2026 with a noticeable change in direction that feels deliberate rather than flashy. Instead of focusing on headlines around mining or speculation, the network rolled out a technical upgrade centered on real payments. According to analysis shared by Scopuly Stellar Wallet, this shift places Stellar and XLM directly at the core of how Pi Network plans to operate going forward.
The update highlights instant and low friction payments as a priority, with Stellar technology acting as the settlement layer. Scopuly Stellar Wallet described the move as a structural change that connects Pi Network activity to fast transaction rails rather than abstract promises.
This upgrade introduces a unified developer setup that allows payment features to be added in roughly 10 minutes. Scopuly Stellar Wallet explained that the design combines Pi SDK tools with backend APIs, removing many of the usual setup steps. Support for JavaScript, React, Next.js, and Ruby on Rails makes the system accessible to a wide range of builders.
Stellar plays a central role here. High speed settlement and low transaction costs allow Pi apps to process payments without noticeable delays. Scopuly Stellar Wallet pointed out that this approach keeps the experience smooth for users while reducing technical friction for developers.
🎹 Pi Network Pushes Instant Payments in 2026 – Powered by Stellar & $XLM
— Scopuly – Stellar Wallet (@scopuly) January 23, 2026
Pi Network has rolled out its first major technical upgrade of 2026, with a strong focus on instant, frictionless payments 💳
At the heart of this evolution is Stellar technology, positioning $XLM as a key… pic.twitter.com/nE20DBdugw
Pi App Studio Changes Focus Toward Utility And Ease Of Use
Updates confirmed by PiCoreTeam show that Pi App Studio is evolving alongside the payment upgrade. New creator focused events and expanded payment features are part of the rollout. Ad supported deployment also removes the need for upfront infrastructure spending, which lowers the barrier for small teams.
Scopuly Stellar Wallet noted that this structure favors experimentation. Non technical creators can add payment functionality without deep coding knowledge, which fits Pi Network’s broader goal of growing an active app ecosystem rather than a purely speculative user base.
Pi Network Roadmap Ties Utility Growth To Stellar Technology
Pi Network’s longer term roadmap points to a clear shift away from mobile mining toward practical use cases. Retail pilots are planned across Nigeria, India, Indonesia, and Brazil. Governance is expected to move fully on chain, and a planned upgrade to Stellar protocol v23 later in 2026 could open the door to smart contract functionality.
Scopuly Stellar Wallet framed this alignment as natural, noting that Stellar was designed for real world payments and cross border settlement. Pi Network appears to be borrowing that philosophy as it builds out infrastructure meant to scale.
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Despite the technical progress, PI price remains under pressure. Around 95M PI is scheduled to unlock in January 2026, with roughly 1.24B PI expected to unlock across the year. PI currently trades around $0.20 to $0.21 and remains about 90% below its all time high.
Scopuly Stellar Wallet highlighted that infrastructure development and price action often move on different timelines. The reliance on Stellar and XLM suggests Pi Network is prioritizing functional growth first.
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