Long-awaited Pi network update is finally here: what pioneers need to know

There is only one step left until the v20 version.

The announcement also urged nodes to ensure they had upgraded to comply with the new version.

Network Update: Protocol v19.6 migration completed successfully ✅ The next step is v19.9 — the last step before v20. Node operators should ensure they are upgraded and stay tuned for further instructions: https://t.co/mnbwVzhaD9

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) February 20, 2026

Nodes, the update is here

Recall that the team first outlined the upcoming round of upgrades last week, stating that the Pi nodes will have until February 15 to complete their migration to stay connected to the network once it’s deployed.

In the explanatory post dedicated to nodes, the team described they consider it the “fourth role within the Pi ecosystem,” which should run on laptops and desktop computers rather than mobile devices. Like nodes in other blockchains, they must validate transactions and maintain the distributed ledger by reaching consensus on the order of transactions.

However, there is a difference between Pi Network’s nodes and those running on proof-of-work systems, such as Bitcoin. Because Pi uses a consensus mechanism derived from the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), trusted group nodes, known as quorum slices, validate transactions only if trusted peers agree.

It is worth noting that security circles created by mobile miners form a global trust graph that helps determine which nodes can participate in the validation.

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Build for accessibility

The core team also highlighted another difference between nodes on different blockchains and nodes operating within the Pi ecosystem. They explained that the entire concept of Pi Network is to operate under a user-centered design, where even less tech-savvy pioneers can install the Pi Node desktop application and enable or disable node participation with a simple interface.

The team noted that this method aligns with Pi’s strategy of “progressive decentralization,” which allows the network to move toward full decentralization while remaining accessible to regular users.