Discover what Pi Network (PI) is, how it works, and why it matters in crypto. Explore its features, use cases, tokenomics, and tutorials with MEXC.Discover what Pi Network (PI) is, how it works, and why it matters in crypto. Explore its features, use cases, tokenomics, and tutorials with MEXC.

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What is Pi Network (PI)

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Start learning about what is Pi Network through guides, tokenomics, trading information, and more.

Page last updated: 2025-12-05 23:53:12 (UTC+8)

Pi Network (PI) Basic Introduction

What Is Pi Network?

Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project and blockchain ecosystem built around the idea of making crypto mining accessible to everyone globally. Users with no technical background can still use their mobile devices to mine Pi coins with minimal energy consumption. Since its debut in 2019, the project has attracted a massive global community of users, known as Pioneers, who mine PI through participation in a social consensus model.

How Pi Network Cryptocurrency Began?

The Pi Network cryptocurrency officially began its journey on Pi Day, March 14, 2019, with a singular, ambitious mission to dramatically simplify and accelerate cryptocurrency adoption for everyone.

The project introduced a revolutionary approach to earning crypto, centered on a lightweight mobile app. This application rewards users simply for daily check-ins and creating trust circles, replacing traditional, complex barriers with unmatched simplicity. Most importantly, battery consumption is minimal. Below is a simplified timeline of Pi Coin key development stages:

  • March 2019: The app launches in beta
  • March 2020: Pi Testnet begins
  • December 2021: Enclosed Mainnet phase begins (internal blockchain goes live)
  • February 20, 2025: Open Mainnet launches

Who Created Pi Network?

The Pi Network project was founded by a core team of Stanford University graduates, combining deep expertise in computer science, social behavior, and anthropology.

The key Pi Network founders are:

  • Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis: Holding a Stanford PhD in Computer Science, Dr. Kokkalis is the Head of Technology and directly responsible for the technical architecture of the Pi blockchain.
  • Dr. Chengdiao Fan: A key founder with a Stanford PhD in Anthropology and Social Behavior. Dr. Fan focuses on the social utility and human-centric design of the Pi Network.
  • Vincent McPhillip: Co-founder who served as Head of Community. McPhillip departed the project in 2021.

Why the Founders' Backgrounds Matter?

The founders' Stanford backgrounds were critical in shaping Pi Network. Their expertise allowed them to integrate technical innovation in distributed systems with social trust-building mechanisms, which form the foundation of Pi's consensus model.

How to Mine Pi Coin?

Mining Pi Coin is straightforward. Users simply install the Pi Network mobile app, log in, and tap the lightning icon once every 24 hours to activate mining. The process does not rely on heavy computation. Instead, Pi Network uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a social trust model where users form security circles that help support the network's decentralized consensus.

Pi Network classifies users into several roles:

  • Pioneer: A user who mines PI daily
  • Contributor: Builds a security circle by adding trusted individuals
  • Ambassador: Invites new users and earns rewards
  • Node Operator: Runs the Pi Node application on a desktop or laptop computer to support network consensus

Mining rewards decrease as more people join, meaning early users benefit the most.

How to Obtain Pi?

Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Pi was initially obtained through mobile mining:

  • Download the Pi Network app and register an account
  • Tap the lightning button once per day to start mining
  • Invite friends to join to increase your mining rate
  • Complete KYC (identity verification) before PI can be transferred to the mainnet wallet

Today, PI is listed on major exchanges, including MEXC, allowing users to trade directly on the platform and check the Pi coin price daily:

  • Sign up for an account on MEXC and complete KYC Verification
  • Deposit funds using a bank card or USDT
  • In the Spot trading section, select the PI/USDT trading pair to buy PI
  • This shift marks Pi's transition from mining without tradability to actual circulation on the open market

Can I Buy Anything With Pi Coin?

Yes, you can spend Pi in certain cases, though mainly within the Pi community. Users have traded Pi for small items such as shirts, accessories, gadgets, and food through informal barter or community-led marketplaces. Events such as PiFest 2025, which saw over 125,000 registered merchants and 58,000 active sellers participate, show growing interest in Pi's real-world usage. However, major retailers and mainstream apps do not yet accept Pi, as adoption is still in the early stages and remains community-driven.

How to Complete Pi Network KYC?

To unlock and transfer mined PI to the mainnet:

  • Install the Pi Browser app
  • Create a mainnet wallet and write down the recovery phrase
  • Open the KYC section in the Pi Browser app and upload your identification documents
  • Complete facial recognition through the camera
  • Submit your application (usually requires a small fee in PI)

Once approved, your PI balance can be migrated to your mainnet wallet.

Is Pi Network Legitimate?

Pi does not require upfront investment or fees to start mining, making it easy for anyone to begin. This sets it apart from many fraudulent crypto projects. The founders and the core team are public and visible, and the development has been continuously achieved for multiple milestones. The project is best described as a long-term, experimental approach to building a decentralized ecosystem with community-first principles. However, it is too early to declare Pi a definitive success. It is neither a get-rich-quick scheme nor a scam, but rather a slow-developing cryptocurrency project worth monitoring as it matures.

Pi Coin Price Today: Hype vs. Reality and Future Value

The question of "How much is 1 Pi coin worth?" generates immense curiosity. While speculation and peer-to-peer trades exist, a stable Pi coin price is still being established.

Current Price

Speculative Trading: Prices on centralized exchanges (including MEXC, Bitget, OKX, and Gate.io) often fluctuate around $0.24-$0.26 (as of late November 2025).

The Caveat: These prices may not fully reflect market value because trading volume remains limited compared to established cryptocurrencies. The project's development team has emphasized that building real-world utility is the priority over short-term price movements.

Ultimately, Pi's true value will depend on real-world utility, not just its exchange price.

Pi Network (PI) Profile

Token Name
Pi Network
Ticker Symbol
PI
Public Blockchain
PINETWORK
Whitepaper
Official Website
Sector
LAYER 1 / LAYER 2
Market Cap
$ 1.87B
All Time Low
$ 0.158525
All Time High
$ 2.9816
Social Media
Block Explorer

What is Pi Network (PI) Trading

Pi Network (PI) trading refers to buying and selling the token in the cryptocurrency market. On MEXC, users can trade PI through different markets depending on your investment goals and risk preferences. The two most common methods are spot trading and futures trading.

Pi Network (PI) Spot Trading

Crypto spot trading is directly buying or selling PI at the current market price. Once the trade is completed, you own the actual PI tokens, which can be held, transferred, or sold later. Spot trading is the most straightforward way to get exposure to PI without leverage.

Pi Network Spot Trading

How to Acquire Pi Network (PI)

You can easily obtain Pi Network (PI) on MEXC using a variety of payment methods such as credit card, debit card, bank transfer, Paypal, and many more! Learn how to buy tokens at MEXC now!

How to Buy Pi Network Guide

Deeper Insights into Pi Network (PI)

Pi Network (PI) History and Background

Pi Network (PI) History and Background

Pi Network was founded in March 2019 by a team of Stanford University graduates, including Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, Dr. Chengdiao Fan, and Vincent McPhillip. The project emerged from their vision to create a cryptocurrency that would be accessible to everyday users without requiring expensive mining equipment or consuming massive amounts of energy like Bitcoin.

Founding Vision and Mission

The founders aimed to address the barriers that prevented ordinary people from participating in cryptocurrency mining. Traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin require specialized hardware and significant electricity consumption, making mining inaccessible to most users. Pi Network was designed to enable mobile mining through a user-friendly smartphone application, democratizing access to cryptocurrency creation.

Development Phases

Pi Network has progressed through several distinct phases since its launch. The initial phase focused on building a user base through mobile mining, where users could earn Pi coins by simply pressing a button daily on their smartphones. This approach attracted millions of users worldwide who were interested in cryptocurrency but lacked technical expertise or resources for traditional mining.

Technical Innovation

The network utilizes a consensus algorithm called Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), which is more energy-efficient than proof-of-work systems. This allows the network to operate without the environmental concerns associated with Bitcoin mining. The mobile mining process doesn't actually perform complex calculations on phones but rather establishes user engagement and network growth.

Community Growth

Pi Network experienced rapid user adoption, reaching millions of active users within its first few years. The project emphasized building a strong community foundation before launching its mainnet, focusing on user education and ecosystem development. This approach distinguished it from many other cryptocurrency projects that prioritized immediate trading and speculation.

Current Status

The network has transitioned through various testing phases and continues developing toward full decentralization and mainstream adoption, maintaining its focus on accessibility and user-friendly cryptocurrency participation.

Who Created Pi Network (PI)?

Pi Network was created by a team of Stanford University graduates, led by three core founders who launched the project in March 2019. The main creators are Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, Dr. Chengdiao Fan, and Vincent McPhillip.

Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis serves as the Head of Technology for Pi Network. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University and has extensive experience in blockchain technology and distributed systems. Before Pi Network, he was involved in various tech startups and has a strong background in building decentralized applications.

Dr. Chengdiao Fan is the Head of Product for Pi Network. She also graduated from Stanford University with a PhD in Computational Anthropology. Her expertise lies in human-computer interaction and social computing, which helps shape Pi Network's user-friendly approach to cryptocurrency adoption.

Vincent McPhillip serves as the Head of Community for Pi Network. He graduated from Stanford University and brings experience in business development and community building, focusing on creating sustainable growth strategies for the platform.

The Stanford Connection team aimed to create a cryptocurrency that would be accessible to everyday users, addressing the barriers that prevent mainstream adoption of digital currencies. Their vision was to develop a mining system that wouldn't drain phone batteries or consume excessive energy, unlike traditional cryptocurrency mining methods.

Pi Network represents their attempt to democratize cryptocurrency access by allowing users to mine Pi coins directly from their mobile phones through a simple app interface, making cryptocurrency participation more inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

How Does Pi Network (PI) Work?

Pi Network Overview

Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project that aims to make digital currency mining accessible to everyday smartphone users. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies that require expensive mining equipment and high energy consumption, Pi Network operates through a mobile application that allows users to mine Pi coins using their phones.

Mobile Mining Mechanism

The core innovation of Pi Network lies in its mobile mining approach. Users download the Pi Network app and activate mining by simply pressing a button once every 24 hours. This process doesn't drain battery life or consume significant processing power because it doesn't perform traditional computational mining. Instead, it uses a consensus algorithm that validates transactions through a network of trusted users.

Consensus Algorithm

Pi Network employs the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), which is based on Federated Byzantine Agreement (FBA). This system allows the network to reach consensus without requiring massive computational power. Users build security circles by inviting trusted contacts, creating an interconnected web of trust that validates transactions and maintains network security.

Mining Phases and Rates

The mining rate in Pi Network decreases as more users join the network, following a halving mechanism. Early adopters earn Pi at higher rates, while later participants receive reduced rewards. The mining rate is also influenced by the user's engagement level and the size of their security circle.

Current Development Stage

Pi Network is currently in its testnet phase, working toward launching a mainnet where Pi coins will have real economic value. The project focuses on building a user base and developing ecosystem applications before full deployment.

Pi Network (PI) Key Features

Pi Network (PI) Core Features

Pi Network represents a revolutionary approach to cryptocurrency mining and adoption, designed to make digital currency accessible to everyday users without requiring expensive hardware or technical expertise.

Mobile-First Mining

Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies that require powerful computers or specialized mining equipment, Pi Network enables users to mine PI tokens directly from their smartphones. This innovative approach eliminates energy-intensive mining processes and makes cryptocurrency participation available to billions of mobile phone users worldwide.

User-Friendly Interface

The Pi Network app features an intuitive design that requires minimal technical knowledge. Users simply need to tap a button once every 24 hours to continue mining, making it extremely accessible for newcomers to the cryptocurrency space.

Social Mining Mechanism

Pi Network incorporates a unique social element where mining rates can be increased by building security circles with trusted contacts. This creates a network effect that encourages user growth while maintaining security through social connections and referrals.

Energy Efficient Consensus

The network utilizes a consensus algorithm that doesn't require massive computational power, making it environmentally sustainable compared to Bitcoin and other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies. This approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with cryptocurrency operations.

Gradual Decentralization

Pi Network follows a phased approach to decentralization, currently operating in an enclosed mainnet phase while building its ecosystem. This allows for careful development and testing before full public launch, ensuring stability and security.

Built-in Ecosystem

The platform aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem where PI tokens can be used for real-world transactions, featuring a marketplace and various applications that provide utility beyond simple token holding.

Pi Network (PI) Distribution and Allocation

Pi Network Token Distribution Overview

Pi Network employs a unique distribution model that differs significantly from traditional cryptocurrency projects. The total supply of Pi tokens is designed to be finite, with distribution occurring through multiple phases and allocation categories.

Mining Distribution Phase

The primary distribution mechanism involves mobile mining, where users earn Pi tokens by simply pressing a button daily in the mobile application. This mining rate varies based on several factors including the user's role in the network, referral contributions, and the overall network size. Pioneer miners receive a base rate, while contributors who verify transactions earn additional rewards.

Allocation Categories

Pi Network's token allocation is divided into several key categories. Mining rewards constitute the largest portion, distributed to active users who participate in daily mining sessions. A significant allocation is reserved for the Pi Core Team to fund development and operations. Additional portions are designated for advisors, early investors, and ecosystem development initiatives.

Referral and Security Circle Bonuses

Users can increase their mining rates through referral programs and security circles. Referrers earn a percentage of their referees' mining rates, creating network growth incentives. Security circles, formed by trusted connections, enhance mining rates while strengthening network security through social verification mechanisms.

Mainnet Distribution Considerations

The transition to mainnet involves careful consideration of token distribution fairness. Only verified users with completed KYC processes will receive their earned Pi tokens on the mainnet. The project emphasizes preventing concentration among early adopters while ensuring broad, equitable distribution across the global user base.

Pi Network (PI) Utility and Use Cases

Pi Network (PI) Use Cases and Applications

Pi Network represents an innovative approach to cryptocurrency that aims to create a user-friendly digital currency accessible to everyday users. The project focuses on building a comprehensive ecosystem where PI tokens serve multiple practical purposes beyond traditional speculation.

Peer-to-Peer Transactions

The primary application of Pi Network involves facilitating direct transactions between users without intermediaries. Users can send and receive PI tokens for various purposes, including remittances, small payments, and cross-border transfers. This functionality aims to reduce transaction costs and processing times compared to traditional banking systems.

Marketplace Integration

Pi Network is developing an integrated marketplace where users can exchange goods and services using PI tokens. This ecosystem allows merchants to accept PI as payment while consumers can purchase items directly within the network. The marketplace serves as a practical testing ground for real-world utility and adoption.

Mobile Mining and Accessibility

Unlike energy-intensive cryptocurrencies, Pi Network enables mobile mining through a lightweight consensus algorithm. Users can mine PI tokens using smartphones without draining battery life or consuming excessive resources. This approach democratizes cryptocurrency participation for users without specialized hardware.

Social Commerce Applications

The network leverages social connections to build trust and security within the ecosystem. Users can invite friends and family members, creating circles of trust that enhance transaction security. This social element differentiates Pi Network from traditional cryptocurrencies by emphasizing community building.

Microtransactions and Digital Services

PI tokens are designed for microtransactions, making them suitable for digital content purchases, app subscriptions, and online services. The low transaction costs make small-value payments economically viable, opening opportunities for content creators and service providers.

Developer Ecosystem

Pi Network provides APIs and development tools for third-party applications. Developers can integrate PI tokens into games, social applications, and other digital platforms, expanding the utility and adoption of the cryptocurrency across various use cases.

Pi Network (PI) Tokenomics

Tokenomics describes the economic model of Pi Network (PI), including its supply, distribution, and utility within the ecosystem. Factors such as total supply, circulating supply, and token allocation to the team, investors, or community play a major role in shaping its market behaviour.

Pi Network Tokenomics

Pro Tip: Understanding PI's tokenomics, price trends, and market sentiment can help you better assess its potential future price movements.

Pi Network (PI) Price History

Price history provides valuable context for PI, showing how the token has reacted to different market conditions since its launch. By studying historical highs, lows, and overall trends, traders can spot patterns or gain perspective on the token's volatility. Explore the PI historical price movement now!

Pi Network (PI) Price History

Pi Network (PI) Price Prediction

Building on tokenomics and past performance, price predictions for PI aim to estimate where the token might be headed. Analysts and traders often look at supply dynamics, adoption trends, market sentiment, and broader crypto movements to form expectations. Did you know, MEXC has a price prediction tool that can assist you in measuring the future price of PI? Check it out now!

Pi Network Price Prediction

Disclaimer

The information on this page regarding Pi Network (PI) is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. MEXC makes no guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the content provided. Cryptocurrency trading carries significant risks, including market volatility and potential loss of capital. You should conduct independent research, assess your financial situation, and consult a licensed advisor before making any investment decisions. MEXC is not liable for any losses or damages arising from reliance on this information.

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