As the final hours of 2025 tick away, the cryptocurrency community is already looking ahead to what 2026 might bring. For Pi Network pioneers and holders, the new year kicks off with a significant event: the largest scheduled monthly $PI token unlock of the year, set for January.
The Biggest $PI Token Unlock of 2026 Is Coming in January
Following a major token unlock of approximately 190 million $PI in December 2025, Pi Network is gearing up for another substantial release. Piscan report indicate that 136 million $PI tokens becoming available in January 2026.
This makes January’s unlock the highest monthly total for 2026, edging out February’s projected 130 million. Later months are expected to see the pace taper down significantly, with roughly 97 million in March and 85 million in April, as the network moves toward a more stable emission schedule. The unlocks continue Pi’s gradual emission schedule, tied to user migrations, voluntary lockups, and ecosystem growth.
Pi Network (PI) Tokens Unlock 2026/Source: piscan Key milestones closing out 2025 include surpassing 60 million registered pioneers and over 15.7 million successful Mainnet migrations. A notable 8.7 million $PI unlock on Christmas Day—linked to a holiday commerce event with over 125,000 merchants—was absorbed stably, serving as a positive stress test for the network.
What Could This Mean for $PI Holders?
Pi Coin endured a challenging 2025, surging briefly above $3 early on before settling around $0.20–$0.21 by year-end. The December unlock of ~190 million tokens contributed to an estimated 11–12% price decline over the month, amid low trading volumes and broader market caution.
Source: Coinmarketcap January’s ~136 million release represents another supply influx in a still-maturing market. Short-term downside pressure is possible, potentially testing supports near $0.1920 if demand lags.
On the brighter side, voluntary token lockups by pioneers (for mining boosts) often reduce immediate selling. Growing utility—merchant adoption, dApps, and upcoming DEX trials—could help absorb the new supply. A broader crypto recovery (e.g., in Bitcoin or Ethereum) might encourage buyers to step in.
Pi’s enormous user base remains a core advantage, with over 1.2 billion tokens expected across 2026 unlocks. The network’s bet is on real-world usage driving value long-term.
Final Thoughts
January 2026 will likely set the tone for Pi Network’s momentum in the new year. Successful absorption of the unlock could build confidence in the project’s evolution, while any volatility serves as a reminder of supply dynamics in emerging ecosystems.
