Pi Network’s Protocol v23 Upgrade Advances as Team Flags GCV Scams

Pi Network is moving ahead with its Protocol v23 upgrade, and the focus is firmly on infrastructure. According to ecosystem updates, the upgrade will integrate Stellar Core v23.0.1 in Q1 2026. The goal is simple. Make the network faster, more scalable and ready for cross-chain activity. For Pi’s 15.7 million Mainnet Pioneers, this is not a cosmetic change. It directly affects how apps run, how transactions settle and how the network grows. Faster confirmations and smoother performance matter when millions of real users are involved. At the same time, the team continues to stress one message. Price talk is noise. Building comes first.

Why the v23 Upgrade Matters

Protocol v23 focuses on core performance. The Stellar Core upgrade brings better throughput and stronger reliability. That matters as Pi prepares for heavier on-chain activity. More apps are coming online. More users are interacting daily. Because of this, scalability is no longer optional. It is required. In addition, cross-chain capabilities sit at the center of this upgrade. While details remain limited, the direction is clear. Pi wants to connect more easily with other blockchain ecosystems over time. That opens the door to broader utility, not just isolated apps. Simply put, v23 is about future-proofing. It prepares Pi’s base layer for what comes next, not just what exists today.

Community Warned as GCV Scams Resurface

Alongside technical progress, community safety has returned to the spotlight. Several Pi community members warned users about GCV-related scams spreading again. These schemes often promise unrealistic prices and fake guarantees. The message from long-time Pioneers remains consistent. There is no official GCV price. Any claims suggesting otherwise do not come from the Pi Core Team. 

A Turkish #PiNetwork pioneer 🇹🇷 warns 🚨: Beware of Oriental Purple Lotus, this toxic figure in the Pi Network community, a brainless GCV scammer and ringleader, an old hag who doesn't do any real work but deliberately misleads and deceives newcomers to the #PiNetwork. Always… pic.twitter.com/8EZfJ9wmWf

— PiNetwork DEX⚡️阿龙 (@fen_leng) December 19, 2025

Community voices urged newcomers to rely only on verified announcements. They also reminded users that Pi’s value depends on real usage, not viral price rumors. While the language used in warnings was strong, the concern behind it is simple. Scams slow adoption. They confuse users and they distract from real development.

Token Unlock Seen as Fuel, Not a Threat

Attention also turned to the upcoming 172.5 million PI unlock. Some see unlocks as pressure, while others see them as necessary liquidity. However, developers lean toward the second view. Specifically, with 215+ new Mainnet apps emerging from the 2025 Hackathon, liquidity becomes functional fuel. In fact, apps need tokens to operate and users need tokens to transact. Consequently, without circulation, utility stalls, but with managed supply, ecosystems breathe. Therefore, that balance appears to be Pi’s current focus: enable growth, support builders, and let usage define value over time.

Taken together, these updates tell one story. Pi Network is tightening its foundation while pushing back against distractions. Protocol v23 moves the tech forward. Scam warnings protect users and upcoming unlocks aim to support real activity. It is not flashy and not loud. But it is consistent and in crypto, consistency often ages better than hype.