PI NETWORK NEWS: STELLAR PROTOCOL 23 “WHISK” UPGRADE AND PI NETWORK’S UPCOMING VERSION 23 UPGRADE

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On September 3, 2025, the Stellar network officially introduced Protocol 23, known as “Whisk,” marking a major step forward in blockchain performance and developer experience. The upgrade delivers significant improvements in scalability, transaction efficiency, and customization. Among its key features are unified events, which standardize transaction formats across both Stellar’s traditional operations and Soroban smart contracts. This streamlines application and wallet development, reducing the need for fragmented data-tracking systems.

Another breakthrough is parallel transaction processing, which enables Stellar Core to validate one set of transactions while collecting the next, thereby lowering cycle times, keeping fees low, and increasing throughput. Validators can also now fine-tune ledger closing times through customizable SCP parameters, boosting network speed. Additionally, optimized fee and storage systems lower transaction costs and eliminate the need for manual restoration of archived entries, laying the groundwork for future scalability.

Protocol 23 has undergone rigorous testing on Testnet since July 17, 2025, and was scheduled for a Mainnet vote on September 3 at 10:00 AM PST (17:00 UTC). Developers and businesses are required to upgrade Stellar Core, Horizon, RPC, and related SDKs ahead of the rollout to maintain compatibility. Stellar continues its alphabetical naming convention for protocols, with “Whisk” symbolizing flexibility and integration, and future releases expected to follow with “X,” “Y,” and “Z.”

In parallel, Pi Network announced its own upcoming transition to Version 23, incorporating Stellar’s advancements while tailoring them to Pi’s ecosystem. A central feature of this update is the launch of the Linux Node, which joins existing Windows and macOS versions. The Linux Node enhances accessibility and decentralization, enabling partners and developers to rely on a standardized node platform with automated protocol updates for greater stability.

Pi Network’s Version 23 will embed features from Stellar Protocol 23 but extend them with custom controls, particularly for smart contracts. The upgrade will roll out gradually, beginning with Testnet1 this week, followed by Testnet2 and Mainnet deployment in the coming weeks. Some brief service interruptions may occur, but the Pi Core Team has committed to providing prior notifications. Importantly, Version 23 will also integrate KYC verification directly into the blockchain, allowing trusted entities to handle decentralized KYC processes. With tens of millions of users already verified, this move reinforces Pi’s focus on compliance and real-world adoption.

Together, these upgrades represent significant progress for blockchain infrastructure. Stellar strengthens its role in decentralized finance and real-world asset tokenization, while Pi Network demonstrates its long-term commitment to accessibility and ecosystem growth. With a community of more than 60 million global users, Pi’s Version 23 upgrade is expected to open new use cases for PiCoin, from DeFi applications to cross-chain transfers.

Both Stellar and Pi Network encourage developers, partners, and users to follow official announcements closely to ensure a smooth transition. Full details on Stellar Protocol 23 and Pi Network’s Linux Node release can be found on their respective official blogs.

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