Will PI smile on Christmas 2026? A Cautious Hope Seen by AI
Pi Network's token, PI, which garnered significant attention immediately after its launch in 2025, has fallen short of investor expectations, despite its initial surge. After reaching an all-time high of $2.99 (approximately 4,320 won) in February, it plummeted 94%, falling to $0.172 (approximately 249 won) in October, and barely recovered to the $0.20 (approximately 289 won) level in December.
The momentum has waned in 2025, but now there's interest in the possibility of recovery.
When PI launched, the market was filled with considerable anticipation. Unlike existing mining, it boasted a user-participatory ecosystem and quickly rose to the ranks of top altcoins. A small number of fans even intuitively imagined the token's price reaching $314 (approximately KRW 453,580), a figure derived from the number "pi." However, the reality proved quite different.
Despite the overall market recovery, PI's price collapsed after its surge, and despite the development team's continued technical updates, its price continued to decline. This was due to a combination of factors: the token's lack of real-world use cases, limited ecosystem reach, and low trading volume.
The AI Prospects: Cautious Optimism, But 'Conditional'
AI language model ChatGPT expressed a somewhat cautious stance on the PI token outlook for 2026. For PI to achieve a meaningful recovery, it needed to rebound strongly from the $0.20 support level, followed by a break above $0.24 (approximately 346 won) to establish a solid upward trend. However, given the current low trading volume and short-term downtrend, the analyst analyzed that the potential for a rebound was limited.
Additionally, ChatGPT emphasized the urgent need to expand PI's utility. They explained that long-term demand will only be established if it goes beyond simple token transactions to support practical use in everyday store payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), and app ecosystems. Currently, PI still has a long way to go in terms of commercialization compared to major projects.
Variables are 'market cycle' and 'beta characteristics'
ChatGPT pointed out that the overall cryptocurrency market trend will have a decisive impact on PI's next direction. They also warned that if Bitcoin (BTC) and major altcoins fail to recover and continue their slump until the first half of 2026, PI could fall back to the $0.172 level. Conversely, if a strong upward cycle begins, PI, a smaller altcoin, could potentially lead the rally.
Historically, so-called "beta" stocks in the cryptocurrency market have tended to ride the bull market. While PIs haven't yet reached maturity, their high volatility and sensitivity to market sentiment mean they can potentially rebound quickly if the timing is right.
AI's 2026 Price Target: Up to $0.65?
ChatGPT presented a baseline scenario, with stabilization above $0.22 (approximately 318 won) and the potential for reaching a high of $0.35 (approximately 506 won). However, it also mentioned an "optimistic scenario" where the price could rise to $0.65 (approximately 940 won) if core technology updates, expanded dApp integration, improved KYC systems, and expanded commercial payment use cases occur simultaneously.
ChatGPT concluded, “2025 was a tough year for PIs, but it is also a common path for early ecosystem tokens,” and added, “The infrastructure built this year (KYC, app studio, store tools, etc.) can serve as a springboard for growth next year.”
🔎 Market Interpretation
Pi Network (PI) has exhibited a typical early-stage token performance pattern, with a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline. Key issues include a lack of practical utility and low trading volume, and the pace of recovery is expected to vary depending on overall market trends.
💡 Strategy Points
Defending the $0.20 support level is key to short-term recovery. The expansion of real-world use cases, such as commerce, apps, and DeFi, will determine long-term growth. In addition to technological updates, user-friendliness is also emerging as a critical challenge.
📘 Glossary
· KYC: An abbreviation for 'Know Your Customer', a procedure requested by blockchain projects for user authentication.
· DEX: Decentralized Exchange, a platform for trading cryptocurrencies without a central intermediary.
· Utility: The purpose of the token or its usability in real life, its functional value other than as an investment vehicle.
💡 Want to know more? AI-prepared questions for you:
A. While it initially surged amid high expectations, the lack of practical use and declining trading volume were the primary reasons for its decline. The fact that PI was left out amidst the overall market rally also affected investor sentiment.
A. The most important technical support level currently is $0.20. If this level is not maintained, there is a possibility of a re-entry to the October low of $0.172.
A. According to AI analysis, the base case scenario suggests a price range of $0.22 to $0.35, while an optimistic scenario suggests a price range of up to $0.65. However, this will vary depending on market conditions and ecosystem expansion.
A. It needs practical utility, such as use in actual service stores, dApp development, and user demand generation. It needs to be functionally usable, not just a simple investment.
TP AI Precautions
This article was summarized using a TokenPost.ai-based language model. Key points in the text may be omitted or inaccurate.
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