YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Pi Network’s mainnet launch on Feb. 20, 2025, is attracting big attention, especially regarding its listing price and trading potential. The project, which has been in development for years, is now moving toward full blockchain integration. Its tokenomics, regulatory challenges, and controversies have fueled speculation among investors.
Pi Coin Tokenomics and Supply Breakdown
The total supply of Pi is capped at 100 billion tokens, with allocations structured as follows:
Mining Rewards account for 65%, given to users who contribute to the network through mobile mining, referrals, and running nodes. Another 10% is allocated for ecosystem building, supporting dApps, community initiatives, and platform development. The liquidity pool holds 5% to facilitate transactions within the ecosystem. The Pi Core Team receives 20%, subject to a vesting schedule.
Pi Network Token Supply Breakdown. Source: CryptoleakvnAs of December 2024, about 562 million Pi coins are already unlocked. Many users, known as Pioneers, have chosen long-term lock-up periods, with some extending up to three years. The Pi Core Team has not disclosed the exact number of tokens that will be unlocked at launch.
Pi Network’s Data Leak Allegations
In May 2021, reports emerged about a data leak allegedly involving 17 gigabytes of personal information from 10,000 Vietnamese users. The leaked data reportedly contained identity card details, addresses, phone numbers, and emails. The individual behind the leak claimed it originated from Pi Network.
Pi Network denied the accusations, stating that a third-party service, Yoti, handled its KYC processes. Yoti also clarified that Vietnamese identity cards were not stored on their servers.
“Pi Network or its third-party KYC provider has nothing to do with the recent alleged data leak of Vietnamese national IDs. Pi Network never asked for or collected such data, and our third-party KYC provider does not accept this type of ID documentation,”
the project stated in 2021.
Pi Network Denies Vietnamese ID Data Leak. Source: PiCoreTeamAn internal investigation by Pi Network found no breach, and Yoti also denied any involvement. Despite the clarification, concerns remain among some users regarding data security.
China’s Crackdown on Pi Network
Pi Network’s referral-based system has led to regulatory scrutiny in China. Authorities have classified the project as a multi-level marketing (MLM) operation. The Public Security Bureau of Hengyang City, Hunan Province, labeled Pi Coin as a scam in July 2023.
Officials argued that Pi Network follows a hierarchical invitation model, rewarding recruiters for adding new members. This structure aligns with characteristics of pyramid schemes, which are illegal in China.
Analyst MASTR commented on X, warning,
“Pi Network is unrelated to the real project and will collapse soon. Stay cautious, as CABAL is attempting to exploit the Pi Network 2025 brand.”
Pi Network Scam Allegations by MASTR. Source: MastrXYZIndustry figures, including Colin Wu and AB Kuai.Dong, have warned about potential legal risks. AB Kuai.Dong stated,
“Pi is the largest pyramid scheme in the Chinese-speaking world. Since mobile phones can be used for mining directly, the threshold is low. As the number of users increases, mining rewards gradually decrease. But the disadvantage is that it involves pyramid schemes and gambling, and there are many cases involving police in various places.”
Pi Network Criticized for Pyramid Scheme Ties. Source: AB Kuai.DongFollowing this scrutiny, Pi Network imposed trading restrictions in regions including mainland China. Exchanges like OKX confirmed that Pi Network requested an isolated listing method to comply with regulations.
OKX Implements Isolated Listing for Pi Network. Source: Wu BlockchainPi Network’s Popularity and User Base
Despite delays and controversies, Pi Network remains one of the most followed crypto projects on X , with 3.7 million followers. This puts it ahead of established blockchains like Ethereum and Solana.
Pi Network. Source: PiCoreTeam on XPi Coin Price Speculation
Pi Network’s IOU price has surged significantly as anticipation builds for its Open Network launch. Between Feb. 9 and Feb.12, the price increased by 78%, reflecting heightened speculative interest in the token’s future value. However, this remains an IOU price, meaning it does not represent actual tradable PI tokens but rather an agreement to deliver them once the network fully launches.
In contrast, Pi Network’s OTC price in peer-to-peer transactions remains significantly lower, trading at approximately $2 per token. The stark difference between OTC and IOU prices highlights the speculative nature of the IOU market, where traders bet on future valuations before the asset becomes officially available on exchanges.
Technical indicators suggest that PI’s price momentum remains volatile, with mixed signals on whether the IOU rally will continue or face a correction. The Directional Movement Index (DMI) shows that the Average Directional Index (ADX), a measure of trend strength, dropped from 56.9 to 46.6, indicating a slowdown. The +DI (positive directional index), which measures buying pressure, also fell from 57 to 27.5, while the -DI (negative directional index) increased from 1.38 to 13.5, reflecting rising selling pressure. Despite these shifts, buyers still maintain control, suggesting that bullish sentiment has not fully reversed.
Pi Network DMI Trend Analysis Indicates Market Shift. Source: TradingViewThe Relative Strength Index (RSI), a momentum oscillator measuring price strength, has declined from an overbought level of 92 to 54.8, placing PI in a more neutral zone. The recent cooldown signals that the sharp upward trend may be losing steam, but it does not necessarily indicate a downturn unless RSI drops toward 40 or lower.
Pi Network RSI Indicator Signals Momentum Shift. Source: TradingViewMoreover, with over 45 million engaged users, Pi Network has one of the largest crypto communities. Many tokens remain locked due to voluntary user lock-ups.
How to Buy Pi Coin
With Pi Network transitioning to its Open Mainnet, acquiring Pi Coin (PI) is becoming more accessible. To purchase Pi Coin, follow these steps:
OKX Registration and Verification Prompt. Source: OKXSign Up on a Supported Exchange: Create an account on platforms like OKX or Bitget. Ensure you complete the necessary Know Your Customer (KYC) verification to comply with platform requirements.
Deposit Funds: Once your account is set up, deposit funds into your exchange wallet. Pi Coin is primarily traded against USDT (Tether), so having USDT in your account will facilitate smoother transactions.
Place a Buy Order: Navigate to the trading section of the exchange and locate the PI/USDT trading pair. You can place a limit order to set a specific purchase price or a market order to buy at the current market rate.
Secure Your Pi Coins: After purchasing, consider transferring your Pi Coins to a secure wallet, such as the official Pi Network Wallet, to maintain control over your assets.
Pi Network Trading on OKX. Source: OKXHow to Sell Pi Coin
Additionally, if you’re looking to sell your Pi Coins, the process involves transferring them from your personal wallet to a cryptocurrency exchange where PI is listed. Here’s how you can proceed:
Transfer Pi to an Exchange: Open the Pi Browser and access your Pi Network Wallet. Unlock your wallet using your passphrase, then initiate a transfer by selecting “Pay/Request.” Copy the Pi deposit address from your chosen exchange (e.g., OKX or Bitget) and paste it into your wallet to send the coins.
Place a Sell Order: Once the Pi Coins are deposited into your exchange account, navigate to the trading section and find the PI/USDT trading pair. Decide whether to place a limit order to set your desired selling price or a market order to sell at the current market rate.
Withdraw Funds: After completing the sale, you can withdraw the proceeds to your bank account or another cryptocurrency wallet, depending on the exchange’s supported withdrawal methods.
Pi Network Deposit Option on OKX. Source: OKX
The post Top Facts to Know About Pi Network Before Mainnet Launch appeared first on Coinchapter.
%%featured_image%%
