Pi Coin remains under intense selling pressure despite a broader market recovery that has pushed Bitcoin to fresh all-time highs.

The altcoin has been unable to follow the market’s bullish momentum, continuing its slide even as new developments roll out across the Pi Network ecosystem.

As of press time, Pi Coin trades around $0.26, reflecting a 24% drop over the past month, according to data from BeInCrypto.

The decline underscores a widening gap between Pi’s performance and that of major digital assets.

While most altcoins have rallied alongside Bitcoin, Pi has moved in the opposite direction. This suggests that network-specific factors, rather than overall market sentiment, are driving the digital asset’s current market downturn.

A key contributor is the surge in Pi tokens held on centralized exchanges (CEXs). Data from Piscan shows exchange reserves recently exceeded 445 million PI, up from 420 million in early September.

This sharp rise indicates that more holders are transferring tokens to trading platforms, often a precursor to increased selling activity.

Adding to the strain, more than 110 million PI tokens are due for release in October as part of the network’s unlock schedule.

The upcoming supply expansion, combined with elevated exchange reserves, increases potential downward pressure, limiting any near-term rebound.

While short-term sentiment remains bearish, Pi Network is making visible progress on its technology roadmap.

The team recently launched several new testnet features, including a decentralized exchange (DEX) and an automated market maker (AMM) integrated directly into the Pi Wallet.

These tools let users experiment with token swaps, liquidity pools, and DeFi mechanisms in a controlled test environment without exposing mainnet assets to risk.

According to the development team, the goal is to prepare users for the eventual mainnet transition. The new tools allow direct peer-to-peer trades within the wallet, giving users more control over their assets.

By doing so, Pi aims to reduce reliance on centralized exchanges, which have often proved to be points of failure in the crypto industry.

Beyond the DEX, Pi has introduced token creation capabilities on its testnet.

This update allows developers to issue tokens, build applications, and launch marketplaces directly within the Pi ecosystem. It mirrors how Ethereum’s ERC-20 framework spurred that blockchain network’s early growth.

Pioneers are optimistic that such products could mark a turning point for Pi Network’s ecosystem strategy. They argue that the project’s focus on infrastructure, decentralization, and developer participation reflects an attempt to establish lasting value beyond speculative trading.

So, in the long run, PI’s success will not depend on short-term price action but on whether these innovations translate into sustainable utility.

Read original story Pi Network Is Adding Major DeFi Features – But Is It Enough To Reverse The Price Slump? by Oluwapelumi Adejumo at beincrypto.com