Pi Launchpad officially goes live on the testnet; Pi ecosystem tokens are no longer intended for fundraising.

Pi Network announces that the initial version of Pi Launchpad is now live on the testnet, allowing users to experience it through the Pi App via Pi Browser. This version implements the core mechanisms of PiRC design and includes test tokens for user practice. The development team hopes the community will become familiar with these mechanisms before the mainnet launch, while collecting data and feedback to optimize the final product.

Three Core Differentiators of Pi Launchpad

(Source: Pi Network)

The design philosophy of Pi Launchpad differs fundamentally from most token issuance platforms in the Web3 market:

First: Token utility focuses on user acquisition and product practicality, not fundraising

The ecosystem tokens issued on Pi Launchpad are designed as tools to attract genuine users to projects and are directly integrated into product features (such as in-app access, payments, rewards, governance, etc.). The core mission of these tokens is to help projects gain real users, gather feedback, and validate the product, rather than primarily serving as a fundraising tool.

Second: Pi token proceeds do not go to the project team but into liquidity pools

This is the most disruptive mechanism of Pi Launchpad—proceeds from Pi token issuance do not belong to the issuing project but are injected into liquidity pools containing ecosystem tokens. This establishes a healthy liquidity foundation for new tokens from the start, rather than allowing project teams to extract issuance profits.

Third: Projects must be “product-first”

Projects launched via Pi Launchpad must already have a functional application, enabling tokens to be immediately put into practical use upon release, rather than the common pattern of issuing tokens first and then seeking use cases.

Mutual Value for Projects and Pioneer Users

For projects: The Pi ecosystem provides a comprehensive support system for companies wishing to promote innovative products—access to a large global user base (including crypto-native and mainstream audiences, many of whom have completed KYC), and low-cost user acquisition through token mechanisms, solving the common “cold start” problem faced by traditional startups. The direct integration of tokens also allows early-stage users to participate in testing, providing more effective product feedback loops.

For pioneer users:

· Transparent and selective token acquisition channels

· Ability to participate in different projects selectively, using tokens obtained through launch mechanisms in actual products

· Creating a positive feedback loop of “use → evaluate utility → urge projects to provide genuine services”

· Holding and using functional tokens issued by companies early in the development stage

Synergy with the Pi DEX Ecosystem

The design of Pi Launchpad not only serves token issuance but also forms a vital infrastructure for building a healthy Pi DEX ecosystem. Although Pi DEX (decentralized exchange) has already launched on the testnet, a healthy trading environment requires legitimate tokens with real utility and sufficient liquidity.

Pi Launchpad supports the long-term health of DEX through two mechanisms: first, ensuring listed tokens have genuine product use rather than purely speculative tools; second, directing Pi token proceeds into liquidity pools to provide trading liquidity after tokens are listed on DEX. This structure helps prevent the early DEX and AMM (Automated Market Maker) from being flooded with meaningless speculative tokens, thereby avoiding common DeFi attack risks and creating a relatively safe trading environment for pioneer users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between the current Pi Launchpad test version and the future mainnet version?

The testnet version is designed for rapid iteration—release schedules, operational steps, available information, and calculation methods may vary each time you access it. This is part of the product testing process, used to collect data to optimize the mainnet version. Once the mainnet is launched, it will be more stable and will not undergo such frequent major changes or inconsistencies.

What are the main differences between Pi Launchpad tokens and regular ICO or IDO tokens?

There are three fundamental differences: First, the purpose of the tokens is not fundraising but user acquisition and functionality integration; second, Pi issuance proceeds go into liquidity pools rather than the project team’s wallet; third, projects must already have a usable product. Traditional ICO/IDO often allows projects to issue tokens before product development to raise funds, but Pi Launchpad’s “product-first” principle aims to avoid this speculative token proliferation.

How can pioneer users participate in Pi Launchpad testing?

Pioneer users can access the Pi Launchpad app via Pi Browser, using test tokens to experience the entire token issuance and acquisition process. The development team encourages users to read the PiRC documentation on GitHub to understand the full design philosophy, and to provide feedback during testing, which will directly influence the final design of the mainnet.