Pi Mainnet Upgrades To Protocol 21 as Testnet RPC Opens For Developers Worldwide

TLDR

• Pi Mainnet completed its Protocol 21 upgrade around April 13 after missing the April 6 target.
• Pi launched a free Testnet RPC endpoint at rpc.testnet.minepi.com for developer access.
• The RPC lets developers read blockchain data and test smart contracts on Pi Testnet.
• Node operators can run their own RPC servers to support broader network access.
• Community responses remained mixed as users awaited KYC, migration, and wider use cases.

Pi Mainnet has successfully upgraded to Protocol 21, adding another stage to its planned network rollout. The update arrived as Pi opened a free Testnet RPC endpoint for developers. Together, the changes expand access and prepare the network for later features. The changes came in the same week and point to ongoing infrastructure work.

Mainnet upgrade improves core network

The Pi Core Team said the Mainnet had completed its move to Protocol 21. The update was announced by the Pi Core Team. The change focused on speed, stability, and smoother performance across the network. It also sets the base for Protocol 22, which the team expects next.

The rollout finished around April 13, after missing the earlier April 6 target. The delay kept the network on its old schedule for one extra week. The team asked node operators to keep their systems “fully updated.” Operators who miss the update may lose connection with the network.

Pi has followed a staged release plan instead of making large changes at once. Each upgrade builds on earlier work and aims to reduce technical issues. That approach keeps the network stable while more users and nodes come online. It also helps the team prepare the chain for later tools.

Free Testnet RPC widens developer access

Pi also launched a free RPC endpoint on its Testnet at rpc.testnet.minepi.com. The service gives developers direct access to blockchain data on the test network. It can help teams build apps and check network responses more easily. The endpoint is free to use, based on the team’s update.

Developers can use the endpoint to test smart contracts before wider releases. They can also work with real-time data during app testing. That makes development simpler for teams building tools on Pi’s Stellar-based network. It also gives builders a more direct link to the chain.

Node operators can also run their own RPC servers on the Testnet. This gives developers another way to reach the network and test applications. It also supports a more open setup with less reliance on central access points. That can help spread traffic across more operators during testing.

Community response stays mixed as roadmap moves ahead

Reaction to the update was mixed across the Pi community. Some users welcomed the release because it showed another completed roadmap step. Others stayed focused on pending items outside the protocol upgrade. Those questions remained active in community discussions after the upgrade.

Several users continued to ask about KYC approvals and migration progress. Some also pointed to roadmap delays since the project began in 2019. Others asked when broader real-world use cases would become available. Those topics remained separate from the technical update.

For now, the team remains focused on building core network tools. Future updates are expected to support decentralized identity features and smart contract development. The project remains in development as broader features continue to roll out. Protocol 21 does not complete that process, but it moves the network forward.

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