TLDR

Approximately 8.7 million PI tokens were unlocked on December 25, 2025.
The asset trades near $0.20 amid high volatility and low liquidity.
More than 125,000 merchants are participating in a global PI payment initiative.

In the midst of the holiday season, the cryptocurrency market received a fresh injection of supply. Industry data indicates that at least 8.7 million PI tokens were released on Christmas Eve, in accordance with the protocol’s scheduled calendar.

This event unfolded at a pivotal moment for the Pi Network ecosystem, as they seek to pivot from financial speculation toward practical utility in the real economy. The unlocking of these assets generated the predictable short-term selling pressure, especially in a sector that still suffers from limited depth.

By midday this Friday, December 26, PI was trading near $0.20, a significant drop considering its yearly highs.

With a daily trading volume of barely $10 million, any change in the circulating supply tends to amplify price fluctuations, both to the upside and the downside.

Real Utility vs. Market Speculation

Despite the market fluctuations, the core team focused attention on its Community Commerce Initiative. During this season, the Pi Network ecosystem has promoted the use of the token in everyday transactions, securing the participation of more than 125,000 merchants.

This effort aims to demonstrate that the project has intrinsic value beyond price charts on secondary exchanges. To ensure this growth, they implemented technical improvements, such as updates to the Testnet DEX and AI-powered KYC tools.

However, the Pi Network ecosystem remains in an “Enclosed Mainnet” phase, which restricts the mobility of tokens outside its own borders. Users must complete mandatory verification processes before their balances become truly transferable.

In summary, the December unlock does not mark a structural change but rather reaffirms the project’s transition stage. With an expanding supply and reduced liquidity, the long-term success of the Pi Network ecosystem will depend on its ability to consolidate its merchant network before fully opening to the global market.

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Filed under: News - @ December 26, 2025 7:25 pm