What Is Pi Network? How It Works and What to Know in 2026

Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project that lets you mine Pi coins using your mobile phone. Launched in March 2019 by Stanford graduates Nicolas Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan, Pi Network aims to democratize cryptocurrency mining with minimal energy consumption. 

The ecosystem has grown to over 60 million users, largely due to its unique mobile mining mechanism, and the community-driven initiatives that keep users engaged. But what about its mainnet launch and its potential implications for the Pi coin price?

Key Takeaways

• Pi Network’s Open Network officially launched on February 20, 2025, at 8 AM UTC, allowing users to trade Pi Coin on exchanges.
• OKX and MEXC have listed Pi Coin, with more exchanges possibly following after the Open Network launch.
• Pi Network now has over 70 million users and has been expanding its ecosystem with developer incentives and hackathons.
• Since its listing on major exchanges, its long-term value and adoption have been somewhat questionable.

What is Pi Network?

Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project launched in March 2019 by Stanford graduates. It focuses on mobile mining to make crypto more accessible.

The network uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol for secure and energy-efficient mining, which allows users to “mine” Pi coins via a mobile crypto mining app.

To guarantee readiness for the mainnet launch, users must complete a KYC process, a requirement that some privacy conscious users won’t like but that says something about the network’s commitment to regulatory compliance and security.

Pi Network roles

Engaging with the Pi Network ecosystem means you’re part of a diverse group of users who contribute in various ways, depending on your role within the network. 

• As a Pioneer, you’re an entry-level user who mines PI coins by regularly engaging with the mobile app. This role incorporates over 60 million engaged global users who contribute to the ecosystem’s growth and stability.
  
• Contributors earn better mining rates by expanding their security circles and helping to secure the network. By maintaining a reliable and stable security circle, Contributors play a crucial role in the network’s overall security and integrity.
  
• Ambassadors grow the network by inviting new members to join and earn rewards for their efforts.
  
• Nodes are users who operate a decentralized network by running Pi Node software, contributing to the network’s infrastructure. Node Ambassadors recruit developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) on the Pi Network. 

These roles, supported by the Pi Core Team and driven by the community, promote the continuous development and security of the Pi Network.

Pi Network roadmap

The Pi Network has laid out an ambitious roadmap. It aims to democratize cryptocurrency mining by allowing users to mine PI coins directly on a crypto mining app without high energy requirements.

Launched in March 2019, the project has been developed in phases. The Pi network roadmap outlines a change through App launch (2018), Testnet launch (2020), and the Mainnet launch, which happened in February 2025 after many delays due to regulatory compliance and user dissatisfaction issues.

The shift to the Mainnet allowed users to convert Pi coins into other assets. This means that users who wish to do so can cash out on exchanges like OKX and MEXC. 

The Pi network roadmap also emphasizes the need for ecosystem building, with a goal of integrating at least 100 applications into the network by the launch of the Mainnet.

Initiatives like the Pi2Day Challenge help foster participation and readiness for the mainnet change, despite community frustrations from repeated postponements.

Pros and cons of Pi Network

Pi Network gained traction by allowing users to “mine” PI tokens through a mobile app without draining battery or requiring specialized hardware. This low barrier to entry helped the project build a massive global user base and made crypto participation accessible to people with little technical knowledge. The project also reports millions of KYC-verified users, which demonstrates strong community engagement following the mainnet launch.

On the downside, liquidity and trading access have been ongoing concerns since mainnet went live. While PI is now live, exchange availability, regional restrictions, and limited ecosystem development have raised questions about real utility. Compared to more established blockchain ecosystems, Pi still lacks a robust selection of DeFi apps, games, and on-chain tools that drive demand for a token.

Despite the challenges, Pi Network boasts a large community of over 12 million KYC-verified users. This strong participation is proof of the network’s engagement as it approaches the mainnet launch.

However, uncertainties around the future value of Pi coins and potential price volatility post-launch remain concerns for investors and users alike.

Pros:

• Wide accessibility: Users can mine via smartphones with low battery and data usage.
• Strong community: Over 12 million KYC-verified users participate actively.
• User control: Features like the Lockup mechanism enhance stability and user control.

Cons:

• Privacy concerns: The Pi mobile app requires a significant amount of user data.
• Repeated delays: Frustration from repeated mainnet launch delays affects user morale, even post-launch.

Pi coin price potential

According to our Pi Coin price prediction, its price could surpass $0.46 by the end of December 2026, with its price expected to drop to $0.37 by the end of February 2026, which is still a massive +115.70% increase compared to its price today.

Is Pi Network worth it?

Initially expected to launch in late 2023, the mainnet launch date was postponed due to technical challenges and was finally released in early 2025.

The Pi coin’s price is currently in a downtrend (though to be fair, pretty much everything is), but speculators predict potential increases in value post-mainnet launch. Here are three key factors to examine:

1. User engagement: Pi Network has maintained strong user engagement through initiatives like the Pi2Day Challenge, which encourages participation and readiness for the mainnet shift.
   
2. Users and KYC: Over 12 million users have completed KYC, with a target of 15 million set for the anticipated Open Mainnet launch.
   
3. Future prospects: Despite past delays, the network continues to develop and expand, with new applications, integrations, and strategic partnerships being announced, which could enhance its value and utility in the future.

Your investment decision should reflect these factors and the potential future success of Pi Network.

Is Pi Network safe?

Pi Network is generally considered safe, having undergone security reviews with no major vulnerabilities discovered. To guarantee your assets are secure, the KYC process is mandatory. This enhances user verification and security, helping to mitigate potential risks.

Here are some key points to note about the safety of Pi Network:

Aspect	Safety Measures	Benefits
KYC Process	Mandatory for retaining Pi coins	Enhances user verification and security
Official App Sources	Minimize risks of fraud and scams	Protects from unofficial apps
Ongoing Community Engagement	Transparency to maintain trust and credibility	Keeps users informed and engaged
User Information	Be cautious of phishing attempts	Protects personal data
Phishing Attempts	Be wary of scam emails or messages	Avoids potential fraud

The bottom line

Pi Network is a cryptocurrency designed for mobile mining, launched by Stanford graduates in March 2019. It aims to make crypto accessible by allowing users to mine Pi coins with minimal energy consumption. Community-driven initiatives keep user engagement high despite delays and uncertainties about the coin’s future value.

If you’re also interested in cryptocurrencies other than Pi Network, make sure to take a look at our shortlist of the best crypto to buy now.