Pi Network Mainnet Upgrade Deadline Feb 15: What About Node Rewards?

Pi Network Mainnet Upgrade Deadline Nears: Have You Updated To v19.6?

Pi Network Mainnet Upgrade has posted a serious reminder to all node operators. As a component of a formal blockchain protocol upgrade, all Mainnet nodes will need to upgrade to version 19.6 prior to February 15, 2026, or will be out of the network.

The milestone is essential in the path of Network to Open Mainnet, which is concerned with better security, scalability, and decentralization.

Highlights

• By February 15, 2026, all Mainnet nodes will have to upgrade to v19.6 to continue to connect.

• The Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) is upgraded to make the network safer and more scalable.

• Hopefulness in March 2026 KYC rewards is opposed to continuing frustration with node incentives and waiting times on verification.

Pi Network Mainnet Update

The constant upgrades are in line with a gradual protocol improvement strategy that will fortify the blockchain infrastructure before the much-anticipated Open Networks era.

Pi Mainnet is currently under an Enclosed Network firewall that restricts external connections. During Open Network, the firewall will be lifted, and the community should be more involved in the running of the nodes. The consequences of not upgrading by the 15th of February may include:

• Disconnection of a temporary or permanent node.

• Dropped connection to the blockchain.

• Disqualified to receive benefits of network participation in the future.

Source: Official X

What's Changing in the Pi Mainnet Upgrade?

Mainnet upgrades Starting with the compulsory v19.6 update, the Core Team is deploying upgrades in stages, from version 19 to version 23. Such upgrades will ensure that the network becomes quicker, more stable, and more secure.

They enhance the communication, processing, and connectivity between the nodes. The update also enhances Pi Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), in which trusted nodes jointly agree on transactions rather than mining transactions using energy-consuming methods, as is the case with Bitcoin.

How Pi Nodes Work? What Makes it Different?

It is progressive in its decentralization strategy, whereby blockchain involvement is available to ordinary users. Contrary to the classic crypto networks, Pi nodes are not costly mining machines, but ordinary laptops and desktops. This does not rely on Proof-of-Work mining, which is energy-consuming.

It instead makes use of the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). Nodes create trusted groups known as quorum slices and only authenticate the transactions that are accepted by such groups. User Security Circles form a global trust graph, which assists in keeping the network safe and also allows it to expand interactively.

Pi Node Participation: 3 Levels Explained

1. Computer App

• Desktop interface of Pi Coin App.

• Enables checking of balance, access to chat, and viewing of media.

• No blockchain authentication.

2. Node

• Checks the validity of blockchain.

• Submits transactions.

• Technical packages have to be installed.

• Should be chosen and KYC authenticated.

3. SuperNode

• Backbone of the blockchain.

• Agrees to an agreement and drafts transactions.

• Should be 24/7 and have a constant internet connection.

• Selected by Core Team.

• Needs powerful equipment and KYC verification.

Selection Criteria For Nodes and SuperNodes

Selection of Nodes and SuperNodes is based on several technical and community-focused criteria. Applicants must maintain 24/7 uptime, have a stable and fast internet connection, and initially be able to open router ports. Adequate processor power and memory are also required. 

Beyond hardware, strong security circles, prior contributions to the community, and a high node reliability and trust score are important factors. Completing KYC is mandatory, and selected applicants are notified directly through the node interface.

Testnet Roadmap: The Foundation of Mainnet Stability.

The development of Pi Mainnet is based on the organized Testnet experiment.

• Selection Stage: Checking hardware reliability and connection level.

• Revision Stage: Stress testing and refinement of consensus algorithms in a scenario. Simulated quorum experiments and testing of scalability.

• Live Testnet: Actual processing of transactions with real security circle information.

Before complete decentralization, the centralized testing layer employed in the Testnet will be eliminated.

Will there be Rewards to Node Operators?

• None of the Testnet nodes are mined.

• Incentive mechanism under consideration.

• Core Team is gathering information to develop an equitable reward system.

There is still a division of community feeling. Most expect payouts of KYC rewards in March 2026, and some are worried about the lack of incentives.

Security and Open Source Transparency.

The blockchain part will be open-sourced with Github repository under preparation. Contributions by the community will be encouraged and mass installations are likely to result in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings first. The Latest Pi Node Software Version of 0.5.4, supporting Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Community Sentiment: Hopefulness and Disillusionment.

Although the upgrade is a positive indication of the move to Open Mainnet, the community is divided:

• An optimistic view of the development of decentralization.

• Expectation of KYC reward distribution.

• Discontent with delayed node rewards.

• Continuous verification bottlenecks.

This is indicative of the greater conflict between the explosive user base and technical maturity.

Concluding Remarks: One Step Closer to Open Mainnet.

The Pi Network Update is one of the most important milestones in the history of the blockchain. The push towards scalability and security is reflected in the compulsory node upgrades, enhanced SCP implementation, and organized decentralization initiatives.

To the operators of nodes, it is not optional but necessary to upgrade to a point before February 15, 2026. These technical improvements may either cause the ecosystem to smoothly shift to full decentralization or continue to delay the process as it approaches Open Networks.

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