Pi Network will be a visible presence at Consensus 2026 in Miami, using the high-profile blockchain conference to showcase its push from a large user base toward a functioning developer ecosystem. The project is sponsoring the event and sending its two co-founders to the stage. Chengdiao Fan is slated to speak on May 6 about how Pi’s blockchain, verified identity system, and global user network could underpin products for the AI and Web3 era. Nicolas Kokkalis will appear on May 7 on a panel about proving human identity online while preserving privacy — a topic gaining urgency as AI tools make impersonation easier. “The Pi Founders will both take the stage as speakers at the Consensus 2026 conference,” Pi said in an X post, noting Fan will discuss Pi’s infrastructure and verified identity network. Identity-first pitch and scale Pi continues to promote identity verification as a core feature. The network uses a KYC-based model that pairs human checks with AI-assisted tools and says it has more than 18 million verified users, having completed “hundreds of millions” of verification tasks across its community. That approach places Pi among projects building proof-of-personhood systems and leverages a mobile-first design to reach users across many markets. Technical upgrades and developer signals Pi’s Consensus spotlight comes amid a technical transition. Node operators are required to upgrade to Protocol 22 by April 27 or risk removal from active network support. Protocol 22 brings updated node software and desktop apps and is intended to prepare the chain for Protocol 23 — expected in May — which aims to enable smart contracts. Pi’s proposed PiRC1 token standard also signals a broader push to enable third‑party applications and tokenized use cases on the network. Market reaction and what to watch Market attention around the conference and the protocol roadmap coincided with a price uptick: Pi’s token was up about 5.3% in 24 hours, trading near $0.18, according to CoinGecko. In the coming weeks, developers and investors will be watching whether Protocol 22/23 rollouts, the PiRC1 token plan, and the founders’ Consensus presentations translate into concrete developer activity, real-world apps, and greater ecosystem momentum. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news