Pi Network’s Mainnet Vote Stalls Users, Yet Token Price Surges 2.5%

On January 22, 2026, Pi Network's first mainnet community vote saw overwhelming participation, with over 15.8 million verified users attempting to access the platform simultaneously. The surge led to temporary app slowdowns and waiting queues. Despite the congestion, the network's native token defied the technical issues with a 2.5% price increase following a period of prolonged stagnation.

The week-long governance vote focuses on critical upgrades, including Version 23 (v23), which promises enhanced speed, security, and the implementation of on-chain KYC. Network congestion messages advised users to be patient, with developers assuring that access WOULD be restored without requiring app reinstalls—highlighting the platform's scaling challenges as it pursues decentralized governance.

While some users expressed frustration on social media, others viewed the massive traffic as a bullish signal of strong community engagement. This event marks Pi Network's strategic shift from centralized decision-making to participatory governance, though the technical growing pains underscore the complexities of achieving mass blockchain adoption.