Pi Network (PI) tokenomics

The Pi Network (PI) is a decentralized cryptocurrency platform designed to allow users to mine Pi coins directly from mobile devices with minimal energy consumption. The project aims to build an inclusive peer-to-peer ecosystem powered by the Pi cryptocurrency.

The token economics of Pi Network are structured to incentivize widespread participation, network growth, and security, primarily through a mobile-first mining mechanism.

Issuance Mechanism

The Pi Network utilizes a mining mechanism designed to incentivize network growth and security. This mechanism rewards users based on their contributions, such as app usage and node operation.

• Total Supply Cap: The total supply of Pi is capped at 100 billion Pi.
• Mining: Users, referred to as "Pioneers," mine PI through the platform by logging in regularly and actively participating. This process ensures the accumulation of PI tokens before the eventual Token Generation Event (TGE).
• Inflation/Burning: Analysts have noted the absence of a token burning mechanism as a key issue that could hinder significant price gains and contribute to potential selling pressure due to the large token supply.

Allocation Mechanism

The total supply of 100 billion Pi is divided between the community and the core team according to a predefined ratio:

This allocation strategy is intended to create a widely accessible cryptocurrency ecosystem by distributing the vast majority of the tokens to the user base.

Usage and Incentive Mechanism

The Pi token serves as the native currency of the network and is used to transfer value and support decentralized peer-to-peer transactions. The incentive structure is designed to drive utility and network development:

• Value Transfer: PI is the primary medium for transferring value within the platform.
• Ecosystem Development: The network is focused on creating a utility-driven ecosystem that supports third-party apps, merchants, and developers. This includes plans for a virtual storefront where users can offer goods and services, and a decentralized app store for building decentralized applications (dApps) using the Pi Network infrastructure.
• Mining Rewards: The mining mechanism incentivizes users to contribute to network growth and security through rewards tied to contributions like app usage and node operation.
• Scalability Solution: Pi Network employs the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), which is designed to enable faster, lower-cost transactions, making PI viable for everyday use cases such as payments and remittances.

Locking Mechanism and Unlocking Time

The Pi Network employs a vesting and migration process, particularly during its transition phases, which involves locking and unlocking tokens.

• Core Team Allocation: The 20% allocation reserved for the Pi core team is set to be unlocked on a gradual basis.
• Mainnet Migration: The network has been in an Enclosed Mainnet phase, a transitional period requiring Pioneers to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and Mainnet migration to secure their mined Pi tokens and prepare for the upcoming Open Network phase.
• Token Unlocks and Volatility: The unlocking of tokens is a significant factor influencing market dynamics. For instance, over 215 million PI tokens were set to unlock around July 2025, with 13.3 million unlocking on a specific day, which analysts suggest could increase selling pressure and introduce price volatility. Similarly, in April 2025, 2.3 million tokens were set to unlock, increasing to nearly 10 million by mid-April, raising concerns about potential sell-offs.

The network's transition to the Open Network phase, which began in February 2025, allows for external connectivity and integration, enhancing Pi's utility and reach beyond its native ecosystem.