Pi Network Breaks New Ground: DeFi Testing Marks Start of Next Evolution Phase

Pi Network Unveils DeFi Testing Tools and Domain Expansion Ahead of Mainnet Launch

Pi Network’s developers are entering a decisive new chapter in their roadmap, unveiling a series of decentralized finance (DeFi) experiments and infrastructure tools designed to prepare its vast community for a full-scale blockchain economy. The latest development signals the project’s intent to merge user education, utility, and decentralization ahead of its long-awaited Open Mainnet phase.

During the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore, Pi Network co-founder Dr. Chengdiao Fan confirmed that decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated market maker (AMM) environments have officially been launched on the Pi Testnet. The move introduces a controlled sandbox for developers and community members—known as Pioneers—to experiment with DeFi features such as token minting, liquidity pooling, and token swapping without financial risk.

Educating Before Expanding

Unlike most projects that rush to launch their mainnet to capture market momentum, Pi Network is taking a deliberate, education-first approach. “We want our community to understand how DeFi truly works before they interact with real assets,” Dr. Fan explained during her session at TOKEN2049. “This phase is about learning, building, and preparing for a sustainable ecosystem rather than speculation.”

The Testnet tools function as a simulation environment, mirroring the decentralized trading experience that will eventually occur on Pi’s Mainnet. By using test tokens instead of real assets, participants can familiarize themselves with blockchain mechanics, smart contracts, and liquidity management—all essential skills in the DeFi economy.

Dr. Fan also revealed that a comprehensive set of developer resources is in production. These materials will allow programmers, creators, and aspiring Web3 developers within the Pi community to build decentralized applications (DApps) without financial exposure. The initiative aims to turn millions of Pi users into active contributors rather than passive holders—a strategic move toward the network’s long-term goal of a community-led digital economy.

A Gateway for Builders

The launch of the DEX and AMM testing environments represents far more than a technical milestone—it’s a gateway for builders. With more than 60 million verified users worldwide, Pi Network already boasts one of the largest potential developer pools in the blockchain industry. Now, for the first time, those users can experiment directly with token creation, exchange interfaces, and liquidity systems that mirror real-world decentralized trading platforms.

Until now, Pi’s ecosystem has been heavily restricted, particularly during its Closed Mainnet phase. While many crypto projects open their ecosystems early and expose users to volatility, Pi Network has taken the opposite path—slowly testing each infrastructure component in isolation. By introducing this DeFi simulation layer, the project is giving its community both the tools and the knowledge to participate meaningfully when the network goes fully open.

Industry analysts view this as a calculated strategy. By equipping users with the ability to build and test decentralized apps in a safe environment, Pi Network could dramatically reduce the learning curve that plagues most Web3 newcomers. This approach also aligns with the team’s stated mission of democratizing access to blockchain knowledge and participation.

End of the .pi Auction Era

In parallel with its DeFi testing phase, Pi Network has also concluded the .pi Domains Auction, an initiative that allowed users to claim personalized blockchain domain names—similar to how Ethereum Name Service (ENS) operates on Ethereum. The event, which began in June 2025, enabled participants to replace long alphanumeric wallet addresses with simple, memorable domain names ending in “.pi.”

The final round of bidding closed on September 30, though any auction that received a last-minute bid was automatically extended by 24 hours to maintain transparency and fairness. According to Pi Network’s development team, the conclusion of the auction marks a key milestone in improving the user experience of blockchain transactions.

Currently, the project is conducting a full data audit to verify auction results and ensure proper distribution. This review phase is expected to last up to two months, after which successful bidders will receive ownership of their selected domain names. Once distributed, these domains will serve as user-friendly identifiers within the Pi ecosystem—streamlining payments, app access, and DApp integration.

Positioning for the Open Mainnet

The combination of DeFi testing and the .pi domain release offers the strongest evidence yet that Pi Network is edging closer to Open Mainnet readiness. Together, these initiatives lay the foundation for a robust and self-sustaining blockchain economy, one that prioritizes education, usability, and community participation.

Pi’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized that the project’s long-term success depends on utility before listing. By ensuring that both users and developers understand the technology, the network aims to avoid the pitfalls of early speculation that have damaged other blockchain ecosystems.

When the Open Mainnet finally launches, users who have participated in the Testnet phase will already have the practical skills to deploy DApps, manage liquidity pools, and engage in decentralized trading. This approach transforms Pi’s millions of Pioneers from passive miners into empowered stakeholders capable of shaping the network’s evolution.

Building a Sustainable Digital Economy

The educational rollout is part of Pi Network’s broader mission to create a self-contained Web3 ecosystem—one where users can learn, earn, and build within the same digital environment. With the integration of DeFi tools and human-readable domain names, Pi Network is making a decisive shift toward accessibility and decentralization.

Experts argue that this layered approach mirrors the early growth of platforms like Ethereum and Solana, which took years to develop the infrastructure that now powers their decentralized economies. However, Pi’s distinct advantage lies in its community-first model. With tens of millions of engaged users and a growing roster of verified developers, the project has the potential to launch one of the largest grassroots blockchain economies ever created.

The focus on education also aligns with global trends emphasizing digital literacy and blockchain inclusion. By empowering everyday users to understand and interact with DeFi tools, Pi Network is positioning itself not merely as another crypto token but as a gateway to financial empowerment in emerging digital markets.

Looking Ahead

As the verification of .pi domains continues and the DeFi testing gains traction, all eyes are on Pi Network’s next move. Industry watchers speculate that the next phase could involve limited Mainnet migrations or partnerships with other blockchain infrastructure providers.

Still, Pi’s team remains cautious and deliberate, focusing on scalability, interoperability, and security before unlocking real-asset transactions. The ultimate goal, according to Dr. Fan, is to create a “fully functioning digital economy built by its community and for its community.”

Whether Pi Network can achieve that vision remains to be seen, but the recent developments mark a turning point. The combination of educational DeFi testing, domain personalization, and progressive rollout strategy has positioned Pi Network as one of the most closely watched blockchain experiments of 2025.

With millions of users eagerly waiting for Mainnet, the network’s slow and steady approach may well prove to be its greatest strength.

Source: CMC

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