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According to Odaily, Perle Labs, an AI data infrastructure project founded by a former executive of AI data labeling giant Scale AI, has officially launched its Season 1 event today. The project aims to build sovereign nation & enterprise-level AI data infrastructure and has secured $17.5 million in funding from institutions such as Framework Ventures and CoinFund. During its Beta phase, 1.7 million tasks were completed in less than two months. Season 1 introduces high-value data types such as medical, legal, and robotics, and incorporates an on-chain reputation system and NFT qualification badges. Users can gradually unlock expert-level tasks by completing assignments.

BlockBeats News, January 19, the most significant test of the Federal Reserve's independence in over a century will be presented before the U.S. Supreme Court this week. The focus is on whether the justices will, as Congress intended, protect the world's most important central bank from political influence, or allow President Trump to "clean house" at will. It is reported that the case centers on Trump's attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Cook, on the grounds that she was allegedly involved in mortgage fraud (prior to her appointment at the Fed). In extreme cases, this could erode the Fed's cherished independence; even if it does not go that far, it could provide the first "operating manual" for how a president might remove someone from this tightly protected central bank governing body. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hold oral arguments on January 21, 2026 (this Wednesday). Analysts say this has never before been tested in court. If the requirements are strict enough, the clarification of this clause could confirm the central bank's independence, but it could also provide a target for a calculating government to attack. The Trump team's argument is essentially that "just cause" is whatever the president says it is, a standard that seems to put Fed governors just one step away from being dismissed "at will." Jon Faust, former senior advisor to Powell and former Fed Chair Yellen, and now an economics professor at Johns Hopkins University, said that given the Supreme Court's support for the Trump administration on many other issues, he worries that even if Cook keeps her job, the result will weaken the Fed's shield against political pressure.

TokPi joins Pi Network with short videos, live streaming, and Pi-based digital gifting. Pi SDK enables developers to integrate wallet, payments, and login directly into new apps. Pi Network has introduced TokPi, a social streaming and short video app available out of the box within the Pi ecosystem. The Pi Browser now contains TokPi and is integrated with the Pi Wallet, which allows users to send and receive digital gifts in Pi. The app will consist of TikTok-like video feeds, live chat, creator following, and multi-language functions, which would open up new uses of Pi holders in creator economies and entertainment. TokPi is the first Pi-native app that is dedicated to video content and social interactions. Pi is a digital payment network that allows users to engage and post, as well as stream and interact with creators. Initial reactions with the Pioneers exhibit huge interest, with numerous community leaders promoting five-star ratings to enable the app to achieve exposure in the Pi App directory. TokPi is lighting up #PiNetwork! 🔥 TokPi is lighting up Pi Network! Live streaming 📡, short videos 🎥, real-time chat 💬, and TikTok-style digital gifts 🎁 Modern UI, Pi Wallet integration, 10 languages, fully functional inside Pi Browser. ⭐ Enjoying the experience? Don’t… — PiNetwork DEX⚡️阿龙 (@fen_leng) January 19, 2026 The launch of the app is accompanied by the launch of a new developer toolkit known as Add Pi SDK. This software package will enable the developers to become integrated into the Pi ecosystem. The SDK is compatible with Pi Wallet authentication, payment services, mainnet solution, and blockchain verification. Add Pi SDK also provides developers with access to network-wide visibility and system-level tools that enable identity, security, and monetization. Pi Network’s Mainnet Growth and Community Engagement TokPi and the Add Pi SDK come at a time when the Pi Network is pushing into what it describes as the “real economy” phase. This phase focuses on apps that drive user spending, interactions, and transactions inside the Pi ecosystem. As CNF reported, Pi Network has been working in this direction since early 2026 with wallet improvements and app studio upgrades. According to supply figures in Pi Network, the supply has been distributed in locked and unlocked balances. Network data show that the mainnet holds 8.38 billion PI, with the majority locked. With this system, early selling pressure is minimized, and the demand is influenced by app incentives. A new unlock event is expected in January, with 8.7 million tokens released in December. App developers are responding to these signals by building Pi-native apps with built-in payment and wallet tools. TokPi has become one the first apps to use this model in entertainment; other developers have focused on productivity and commerce. The network has 17.5 million KYC users and over 15 million Mainnet migrations, providing developers with a significant user base to target. In the meantime, Pi Network has also undergone its V23 upgrade this month. That release enhanced app performance, security management, and developer SDKs. The community is now looking forward to the January 22 governance vote in which Pioneers will decide on the protocol direction and ecosystem priorities in the coming months.  However, the Pi Network’s token, PI, has faced a bearish shift after failing to breach the resistance at $0.20 . At press time, PI coin was trading at $0.1892 , a 7.98% decline in the past day.