Pi Network: A Year In Review

Key Takeaways

• Pi Network officially launched its Open Network in early 2025, transitioning from testing to a live, public blockchain for verified users.
• Over thirteen million users completed KYC and migrated to mainnet, showing strong adoption despite some technical and verification delays.
• The launch of Pi App Studio and ecosystem staking tools fueled developer activity, turning passive users into active builders and participants.
• Fiat on-ramps, wallet upgrades, and app growth expanded Pi’s usability, while liquidity and merchant adoption remain the next major challenges.

Pi Network began as a social experiment that blended mobile technology with cryptocurrency ideals. It asked a simple question: what if anyone could mine coins from their phone without expensive hardware or deep technical knowledge? That idea drew millions.

People were curious, hopeful, and sometimes skeptical. The project built momentum through its early mining app and its promise of financial inclusion. Yet, the long wait for a real, tradable coin turned that curiosity into tension.

Then, at the start of 2025, Pi Network announced its launch and finally opened its doors to the world. For the first time, users could move beyond tapping a button and see the network’s ambitions take shape.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the major highlights and developments occurring on the Pi Network since its launch, and what the outlook is for the future of Pi Coin.

Pi Network Developments: A Year In Review

Here’s a look at the key milestones, technical upgrades, and community achievements that defined Pi Network’s year after launch.

Open Network Launch And Public Mainnet Activation

The Open Network launch on February 20, 2025, was the defining event of Pi’s history. It marked the project’s long-awaited transition from the Enclosed Mainnet phase, where the Mainnet was live but with a firewall that prevents any external connectivity, to a fully operational public blockchain. The move allowed verified users to transfer, trade, and build on Pi without restrictions.

For years, the closed network had served as a sandbox for testing. But that privacy also created frustration, as users couldn’t move coins outside the Pi app. The launch changed that. Developers could now deploy real dApps, and users could send or receive Pi freely through their wallets.

The rollout was not without hurdles. A surge of activity led to temporary delays in network confirmations and wallet syncing. But in a broader sense, the launch proved that Pi was a live network operating at scale. The event renewed confidence among its community, who had been waiting to see if Pi’s infrastructure was stable enough to build on.

Large-Scale User Migration And KYC Progress

One of Pi’s challenges was identity verification. Since Pi aimed to avoid fake accounts and bots, KYC (Know Your Customer) checks were mandatory before users could move coins to mainnet. Each successful migration meant a real person could now access and use their mined Pi on the live network.

But the process wasn’t smooth for everyone. Many users faced delays in verification or technical issues linking their crypto wallets. The team expanded its support systems and improved the in-app KYC interface to handle large-scale processing more efficiently.

While the overall migration rate was impressive, it also highlighted how massive Pi’s user base had become. Moving from a theoretical network of millions to an operational ecosystem demanded robust coordination and user trust. And that, perhaps more than any technical achievement, showed Pi’s real-world traction.

Pi App Studio And Ecosystem Directory Staking Launch

On Pi2Day 2025 (June 28), Pi Network unveiled one of its most anticipated ecosystem tools: Pi App Studio. It allowed developers, and even non-developers, to create Pi-based applications with minimal coding skills. Using AI-assisted templates, creators could build and launch dApps directly into the Pi Browser, speeding up innovation across the ecosystem.

Alongside that release came Ecosystem Directory Staking, a feature that allowed users to stake Pi to promote apps within the Pi Browser.

These two features were central to Pi’s plan to transform its large user base into an active, self-sustaining digital economy. Instead of users simply holding or mining coins, they could now participate as builders, testers, or promoters of new apps.

Of course, there was confusion at first. Many users expected “staking” to mean earning rewards, as staking does in many DeFi systems. But Pi’s version was about exposure, not yield.

Protocol Upgrades And Node Software Improvements

As more people used Pi, the network had to evolve technically. Throughout 2025, the Pi Core Team rolled out a series of upgrades that improved transaction processing, consensus reliability, and overall node stability.

The community-based node network, which runs on user computers, saw a major update in early summer. The new version improved syncing speeds, reduced CPU load, and supported wider compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux. These changes helped ordinary users continue contributing to the network without needing high-end machines.

In parallel, Pi engineers worked on what they called a v23 protocol upgrade, a foundational improvement designed to prepare the blockchain for higher throughput and potential cross-chain functionality. While not yet complete by late 2025, testnets showed promising results, with improved block confirmation times and reduced data overhead.

For Pi to host thousands of apps and potentially millions of daily transactions, it needs the underlying architecture to be fast, secure, and resilient. Each upgrade brought it closer to that goal.

Fiat On-Ramps, Wallet Buy Feature, And Ecosystem Growth

In late 2025, Pi Network introduced in-wallet fiat purchase options. Through partners like Banxa and Onramper, users could buy Pi directly using credit cards or bank transfers, depending on regional availability.

For the first time, people who hadn’t mined Pi could buy it legitimately within the Pi app. That move also signaled growing regulatory alignment, as fiat integrations require KYC and compliance oversight. It gave Pi a bridge to real-world finance without relying solely on third-party exchanges.

At the same time, Pi continued expanding its ecosystem programs. The team ran app development challenges, offered .pi domain services, and supported local community-led projects. These efforts kept engagement high while demonstrating Pi’s goal of building a digital economy anchored in utility.

However, the on-ramp feature wasn’t globally available. Some regions faced restrictions due to banking laws or licensing limitations. The Pi team acknowledged those gaps and promised gradual expansion as new partnerships matured.

What Can I Use Pi Coin For?

Right now, Pi’s utility exists mainly within its own ecosystem. You can use Pi to pay for digital goods, tip creators, or access services within Pi apps. Developers have created small marketplaces where Pi can buy in-game items, digital art, or limited online services.

The Ecosystem Directory Staking system allows you to use Pi to promote apps, though it’s not a form of passive income. The goal is visibility, not financial return.

Outside the ecosystem, use cases are still emerging. Several businesses in pilot programs have begun accepting Pi for microtransactions, especially in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa. But widespread retail adoption remains limited.

Where Can I Buy Pi Coin?

You can purchase Pi Coin directly inside the Pi app through the wallet’s Buy feature, available in regions supported by Pi’s payment partners. It’s a simple option for verified users, and it uses local currency and instantly transfers Pi into the wallet.

Outside the app, Pi is also listed on a few centralized and decentralized exchanges. Traders can buy it using USDT or BTC pairs, depending on the platform. However, exchange liquidity remains modest, and prices vary.

Because Pi’s open trading phase is still young, it’s wise to check exchange credibility and daily volume before trading. Avoid unverified over-the-counter deals, as scams are common in emerging markets.

Where Can I Sell Pi Coin?

Selling Pi Coin works in two ways: through exchanges that list Pi or through peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. Various exchanges have basic sell functionality, but liquidity is thin, meaning prices can move quickly with large orders.

Inside Pi’s ecosystem, users can exchange Pi directly for goods or services in apps that support payments. P2P sales are also possible through direct wallet transfers, though they depend heavily on trust and community guidelines.

The ability to sell Pi more broadly will depend on greater exchange adoption and merchant acceptance. Until then, most sales are modest in scale, handled by early adopters and local community traders.

Learn more about selling Pi Coin in this extensive guide. 

Closing Thoughts

Pi Network’s first year after launch has been full of real progress and growing pains. The project proved it could transition from a closed experiment to a functioning blockchain with millions of verified users. It introduced tools that invited creativity and offered simple ways for people to engage with crypto technology.

At the same time, Pi’s challenges remain clear. Liquidity, merchant adoption, and regulatory alignment still need work. Many users hold Pi but don’t yet know what to do with it. For a currency to live, it needs spending, building, and exchange.

For now, Pi stands at a crossroads – no longer waiting, but still proving. And that makes the next year worth watching.