As Pi Founder Dr. Chengdiao Fan announced live on stage at TOKEN2049, Pi Network has just deployed a suite of new features to its blockchains. These features are initially being rolled out only on Testnet for testing purposes. After the testing period, they will be accessible on Mainnet.
Pi DEX and AMM
Decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated market maker (AMM) liquidity pool functionalities are available on the Testnet, allowing developers and Pioneers to experiment directly with token swaps, liquidity pools, and other decentralized finance tools. Pi Testnet will continue to host Test-Pi for users to interact with these features. Mainnet restricts this functionality for now, but the interface in the Pi Wallet will display these options and link users to the Testnet environment. These features are innate on the protocol level of the Pi blockchain and allow the community to build their own DEX and AMM interfaces.
The launch of DEX, AMM, and liquidity pool features on Testnet gives developers and Pioneers a live environment to try out the mechanics of decentralized finance (DeFi) inside the Pi ecosystem. This environment allows projects to experiment with the features safely on Testnet before any Mainnet deployment.
These tools also let Pioneers interact hands-on with tokens—educating themselves about DeFi before directly participating on Mainnet DeFi using real Pi, including testing swaps, adding or removing liquidity, and observing how decentralized exchange mechanisms work. Because these functions are restricted on the Mainnet at this time, all activity will take place on Testnet using Test-Pi and test tokens, which are for testing purposes only and are invalid for use on Mainnet or for any other purpose. This setup allows users to experience and refine their approaches to DeFi in the Pi ecosystem and aims to help increase the overall financial literacy of the network before participating on the Mainnet DeFi.
Token Creation
For Pi DEX and AMM to function, token creation is a prerequisite. Developers can now create test tokens on the Pi Testnet blockchain, while such functionality is similarly restricted on Mainnet during the testing period. Documentation explaining this process will be available in the coming weeks. While test tokens can be created freely on Testnet for testing purposes using Test-Pi, token creation on Mainnet will be subject to further rules to align builders’ incentives for utility creation as Dr. Fan discussed during her keynote speech regarding the crypto industry at TOKEN2049. These rules are focused on encouraging real applications, services, and lasting products within the Pi ecosystem, in addition to having a reasonable token supply and distribution plan.
The utility emphasis is especially important in distinguishing these tokens from empty incentive mechanisms such as most memecoins. While memecoins have demonstrated how communities can broadly participate in token ecosystems, they lack underlying utility and thus are unlikely to be sustainable. Pi Network’s approach for tokens focuses on attaching utility creation to real use cases at the app or system level, aiming to ensure tokens exist to power functionality rather than speculation.
Building on Pi’s Infrastructure
In part, these features support the vision of empowering developers, and even non-technical Pioneers creating AI-powered apps via Pi App Studio, to launch their own tokens for genuine use cases—whether for in-app functionality, community participation, or system-level services.
Creators can begin by minting and distributing tokens on Testnet, experimenting with liquidity pools, and verifying how tokens integrate with their apps. Other possible examples include DEXs or AMMs built by the community.
Pi Network already provides key infrastructure to support this feature. The Pi KYC solution verifies the authenticity of Pioneers, ensuring that distribution goes to real people. A global community of tens of millions of verified members gives developers a built-in audience for testing and feedback. Ecosystem products—including Pi Wallet, .pi Domains, Pi Ad Network, and the Ecosystem Directory Staking feature—support practical token deployment, management, and sustainable business models inside the network.
Supporting the Ecosystem Through Utility and Web3
Opening DEX, AMM, and tokens on Testnet allows developers to extend Pi Network’s capabilities in a structured, utility-focused and Web3 way. It also onramps Pioneers into DeFi through a safe, gradual, and educational journey of discovery. This step strengthens the ecosystem by leveraging the powers of Web3 to increase utility, transparency, and decentralization.
