- Pi Coin surged 85 percent to $0.30, then dropped to $0.1717 within five days after the rally
- Pi Network will launch its DEX only after utility tokens and liquidity are built on mainnet
- Smart contract testnet is the next phase before full open source release and wider deployment
Pi Coin saw a sharp rise in late February, but the move did not last. The token climbed fast and then dropped within days, raising fresh questions about its direction. Market watchers are now focused on whether Pi can regain strength and move back toward the $1 level seen in 2025.
Price Rally Followed by Sharp Pullback
Pi Coin rose about 85 percent between February 23 and March 13. The price reached around $0.30 during that period. The move brought renewed attention to the Pi ecosystem and increased trading activity.
However, the upward trend did not hold for long. By March 18, the price had fallen to about $0.1717. The drop erased much of the recent gains and placed the token back in a lower range. Traders now see the move as a short-term rally rather than a trend shift.
🚨MARKETS: CAN $PI COIN'S PRICE RECOVER?
Between February 23 and March 13, the price of $PI rose an insane 85% to reach local highs of around $0.3.
The surge injected life into the @PiCoreteam ecosystem but, just five days later (on March 18) and $PI had collapsed once more to… pic.twitter.com/ath1VECyR5
— BSCN (@BSCNews) March 22, 2026
Data shows that quick price increases can attract short-term traders. These traders often exit positions quickly, which adds pressure on the price. This pattern appears to have played a role in the recent decline.
Ecosystem Development and DEX Plans
The Pi Network team has shared updates about its development path. The planned Pi DEX will launch only after utility tokens are built. The goal is to support stable and secure transactions on the network.
The team stated, “The DEX decentralized exchange on the mainnet will only launch after the actual utility tokens are built.” This approach aims to avoid early-stage risks and maintain system balance.
UPDATE!!
The Pi DEX decentralized exchange on the mainnet will only launch after the actual utility tokens are built, ensuring secure and meaningful transactions.
Before the Mainnet launch, the ecosystem will build actual utility tokens and liquidity through the Pi Launchpad.… pic.twitter.com/UI6XyD3ONb— PiCoin Fan (@Crypotcoinpi) March 23, 2026
Before the DEX launch, the network will focus on building liquidity. This will happen through the Pi Launchpad and other tools. The process is designed to prevent an overload of tokens at launch.
The roadmap includes several steps such as external audits and community review. It also includes testnet deployment and a full open-source release. Each stage is expected to prepare the network for wider use.
Smart Contract Progress and Timeline
Pi Network is moving toward the smart contract testnet phase. This stage is seen as a key step before full deployment. The team has indicated that progress is steady, though no exact timeline has been confirmed.
The testnet phase will allow developers to test applications and identify issues. It will also help improve network performance before the open-source stage begins. This step is important for building trust among users and developers.
There is growing interest in how long this phase will last. The duration may affect how quickly other features are introduced. The pace of development has increased, but the process remains structured.
Can Pi Coin Return to 1$
The return to $1 remains a major focus for market participants. The token has not reached that level since May 2025. Current price action shows that strong support and demand are needed for a sustained rise.
Several factors could influence future price movement. These include ecosystem growth, user adoption, and progress in smart contracts. The launch of utility tokens and the DEX may also affect market activity.
