Pi Network (PI) is a groundbreaking cryptocurrency known for its user-friendly approach, enabling smartphone mining with minimal energy consumption. Launched in 2019 by Stanford researchers, this project aims to democratize cryptocurrency access by removing traditional technical and financial barriers.
Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project launched on March 14, 2019, that allows users to “mine” Pi tokens directly from their smartphones without excessive battery consumption or technical expertise. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which require expensive equipment and considerable energy consumption, Pi Network was designed to be accessible to the general public.
The project uses a modified version of the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), an energy-efficient consensus mechanism that doesn’t rely on proof of work (PoW). This eco-friendly approach allows millions of users to participate in the network without significant environmental impact.
Since February 20, 2025, Pi Network has officially been in the Open Mainnet phase, allowing free exchange of tokens on public platforms.
Pi Network was designed as a response to the limitations of existing cryptocurrencies, particularly their inaccessibility to the average user. The project was officially launched on March 14, 2019 (Pi Day, 3/14), by three Stanford researchers : Nicolas Kokkalis, Chengdiao Fan, and Vincent McPhillip.
The network’s development has followed several distinct phases :
In just six years, the network has attracted more than 35 million users worldwide, becoming one of the largest crypto communities in terms of active users.
Pi Network was founded by three researchers from Stanford University, each bringing complementary expertise to the project :
Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, who holds a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford, is the principal technical architect of the project. A specialist in distributed systems and user experience, he previously worked on social computing projects at Stanford. His vision is to make cryptocurrencies accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
Dr. Chengdiao Fan, an anthropologist and data scientist, brings a social and behavioral perspective to the project. With a PhD in computational anthropology, she is particularly interested in how technologies can be adopted by different cultures and communities.
Vincent McPhillip, a graduate of Stanford Business School, oversees the commercial and strategic aspects of the project. His experience in product development and growth strategies has been instrumental in the rapid expansion of the network.
This founding team continues to lead the development of Pi Network, maintaining a methodical and progressive approach that prioritizes building solid foundations rather than rushing growth.
Pi Network aims to create a decentralized economic ecosystem where the Pi token serves as a medium of exchange for various goods and services. Its main utilities include :
The Pi token is designed to facilitate everyday transactions between users, with minimal fees and fast confirmations. The Pi Browser app already integrates a payment system allowing users to purchase products and services from other network members.
Pi Network provides infrastructure for the development of decentralized applications (DApps) accessible via the Pi Browser. These applications cover various domains such as e-commerce, social networks, games, and financial services.
A fundamental goal of the project is to promote global financial inclusion, particularly in regions where access to traditional banking services is limited. By allowing anyone with a smartphone to participate in the digital economy, Pi Network could help reduce inequalities in access to financial services.
The Pi token also plays a role in network governance, allowing holders to participate in decisions regarding protocol evolution and allocation of community resources.
Pi Network is based on a distributed architecture that combines several innovative elements to ensure its operation.
The network distinguishes four main roles that users can occupy :
These complementary roles ensure the security, growth, and decentralization of the network.
The Security Circle is a fundamental mechanism that verifies each account corresponds to a unique real person. Each user designates 3 to 5 trusted people, creating a social trust network that protects against fake accounts and Sybil attacks.
Mining on Pi Network is fundamentally different from traditional mining :
This simplified process allows anyone to participate without technical expertise or specialized equipment.
The Pi Network blockchain uses an architecture inspired by Stellar, but with significant modifications to meet the specific objectives of the project.
The Pi blockchain is designed to be highly scalable, capable of processing a large number of transactions per second while maintaining minimal fees. It uses a Merkle tree data structure to efficiently organize transactions and reduce the required storage space.
The network employs a sharding system that divides the blockchain into smaller, manageable segments, allowing parallel processing of transactions and thus improving overall performance.
The development of the Pi blockchain has followed a progressive approach :
Even though the network has been the target of numerous criticisms due to delays in launching, this cautious approach has ensured network stability and security before its complete opening.
Pi Network uses a modified version of the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), called the Pi Consensus Algorithm (PiCA). This consensus mechanism offers several advantages over alternatives like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS).
PiCA operates according to a federated consensus model where nodes form partially overlapping quorums (groups). Each node chooses a set of trusted nodes, creating a distributed trust network.
The transaction validation process follows these steps :
This mechanism allows consensus to be achieved without the energy costs associated with proof of work.
The main advantages of this algorithm are :
These characteristics make PiCA a solution well-suited to Pi Network’s goals of accessibility and sustainability.
Pi Network’s security relies on several complementary mechanisms that protect the integrity of the network and users’ assets.
The problem of fake accounts is addressed through a multi-layered approach :
This combination helps maintain network integrity by ensuring each account corresponds to a unique real person.
Transaction security is ensured by :
These measures ensure transactions are secure and irreversible once confirmed.
User data protection is a priority :
These practices comply with international data protection regulations such as GDPR.
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of PI point by point.
Let’s start with the advantages.
Pi Network stands out for its ease of access. Mining is possible directly from a smartphone, requiring no particular technical expertise or initial financial investment, which opens the door to a very broad audience.
Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies based on proof of work, Pi Network’s consensus mechanism is designed to be energy-efficient. Its ecological footprint is thus minimal, addressing a growing concern about the environmental impact of blockchains.
The project benefits from a massive and active user base, counting over 35 million “Pioneers” worldwide. This large community is a strength for the adoption and development of the ecosystem.
By making cryptocurrency accessible via a simple smartphone, Pi Network has the potential to offer access to the digital economy to unbanked or underbanked populations, particularly in developing countries.
The Pi Network mobile application is designed with a simplified user interface. This approach aims to eliminate the technical barriers often associated with cryptocurrencies, making it more intuitive for beginners.
Now let’s look at the disadvantages of Pi Network.
Since its listing (unofficial or in the form of IOUs) on certain exchange platforms, the price of Pi has shown significant volatility. This instability is a risk for holders and complicates its use as a stable medium of exchange.
Pi Network’s referral system has attracted criticism and comparisons to pyramid schemes. Although the team rejects these accusations by emphasizing the absence of required investment, this perception harms the project’s reputation.
Pi Network’s development follows a methodical and progressive approach, particularly with its Testnet and Closed Mainnet phases. However, this progression is perceived as slow compared to other more agile crypto projects, causing impatience among part of the community.
Certain aspects of the project, particularly regarding the precise technical details of the final consensus algorithm or the exact distribution of pre-mined tokens, lack transparency. This ambiguity fuels doubts and speculation.
Like many cryptocurrencies, Pi Network operates in an uncertain and constantly evolving regulatory environment. The absence of a clear legal status in many jurisdictions represents a potential risk for the project and its users.
Since its launch on exchange platforms on February 20, 2025, Pi has experienced significant volatility. After an initial peak at $3.14 on launch day (a nod to the mathematical constant π), the price collapsed before stabilizing in a range between $0.4 and $0.8 for the past few weeks.
Several factors continue to influence the value of Pi :
Analysts offer various forecasts :
These estimates appear too optimistic to us and should be considered with great caution.
Since the launch of the Open Mainnet on February 20, 2025, Pi is now available on several exchange platforms.
To buy PI in 2025, several options are available, but we favor specialized crypto exchanges like Bitget or Binance. Unlike traditional brokers, exchanges give you real ownership of your cryptos, allowing you to transfer them to a personal wallet or use them for DeFi activities such as staking, NFTs, and more.
These platforms allow you to buy Pi directly with euros or dollars via different payment methods (credit card, bank transfer). Here is our ranking of the best platforms in 2025 :
Here’s how to buy Pi on Bitget in a few simple steps :
To withdraw your Pi from Bitget to your personal wallet, use the “Withdrawal” function, enter your Pi address, and confirm the transaction.
When buying Pi, several precautions are essential :
Here are the different options available to you for storing Pi tokens.
The official Pi Network wallet, integrated into the mobile application, is a very relevant option. Its features include :
Since the launch of the Open Mainnet, several options are now available :
At InvestX, we store all our cryptocurrencies on Ledger devices. Cold wallets are considered the most secure way to store tokens.
The security of your Pi tokens depends on several best practices :
There are different ways to obtain PI for free.
Pi “mining” represents the main method to obtain tokens for free :
This process consumes virtually no battery or mobile data.
Several strategies allow you to increase your earnings :
The referral system allows you to significantly increase your mining rate:
Let’s now see if it’s prohibited to hold Pi.
The legality of Pi Network varies across jurisdictions :
Pi Network faces several regulatory challenges :
The project’s cautious and progressive approach has so far limited regulatory risks.
As part of a thoughtful investment strategy, it’s important to know which entities hold the most Pi.
The distribution of Pi tokens has several characteristics :
Although the precise identity of the largest holders is not public, several categories stand out :
Token distribution has had significant implications since the Open Mainnet :
Pi Network represents a remarkable innovation in the crypto ecosystem through its unprecedented accessibility and ecological approach. The successful transition to Open Mainnet in February 2025 marks a crucial step in its legitimization.
The massive community and developing ecosystem of applications offer interesting growth potential. Nevertheless, challenges persist such as price volatility, regulatory questions, as well as the project’s legitimacy regarding the custody of sensitive information.
For investors, Pi Network represents an interesting opportunity but one that requires a very cautious approach. Real adoption, beyond simple mining, will be decisive for its long-term success.
Gaston has been a writer for over 7 years and a passionate cryptocurrency enthusiast since 2020. He loves exploring the crypto ecosystem and is now dedicated to sharing his insights and discoveries through InvestX.
Pi Network stands out with its energy-free smartphone mining, accessibility without technical expertise, and a community of 35 million users.
Pi Network was officially listed on exchanges on February 20, 2025, after six years of gradual development.
No, mining Pi consumes very little resources—comparable to a messaging app running in the background.
Pi Network is a legitimate project developed by Stanford researchers. It requires no initial investment and is now listed on recognized platforms.
Only download the app from official stores (App Store/Google Play) and verify that the developer is “Pi Community Company.”
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