Binance Faces Backlash Over Pi Network Listing Decision

Pi Supporters Flood Binance With One-Star Reviews Over Listing Controversy

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is under fire from Pi Network supporters after failing to list Pi coins. Frustrated users have bombarded the Binance app with one-star reviews on Google Play and the Apple App Store, significantly impacting its rating.

The backlash stems from a recent poll conducted by Binance to gauge interest in listing Pi. Despite strong support for the listing, Binance clarified that the poll was for reference only, sparking outrage among Pi Network enthusiasts.

Pi Community Calls for Mass Downvoting

The protest was fueled by posts on social media urging Pi supporters to give Binance negative reviews. A Facebook group with over 135,000 members called for users to “rate Binance one star for disrespecting the Pi Network project.” Similar campaigns gained traction on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), with many users claiming to have participated.

Between February 17 and February 27, Binance conducted a poll via its Binance Square Official account, with over 85% of respondents voting in favor of listing Pi. However, on March 1, Binance released the poll results without confirming any listing, explaining that its decision-making process involves a thorough evaluation of factors such as project quality, team credibility, market demand, use case, technological innovation, and regulatory compliance.

Frustration Over Misinterpreted Poll Results

Many Pi Network supporters had expected the poll results to translate into an official listing. Hoang Anh, an administrator of a major Pi Network Facebook group, noted that some users felt misled after completing identity verification and depositing at least $5 to participate in the poll.

“Feeling deceived, the only way for them to express their anger was through one-star ratings,” Anh explained.

As a result, Binance’s Google Play rating plummeted from 4.9/5 to 3.8/5, with 2.86 million reviews. Meanwhile, its App Store rating fell from 4.8/5 to 4.2/5, with approximately 12,400 reviews. Many negative comments accused Binance of “tricking users into depositing money to vote for Pi” and “disrespecting the Pi Network project.”

Not the First Backlash Against an Exchange

This is not the first time Pi Network supporters have retaliated against a crypto exchange. Rival platform ByBit faced a similar backlash when its Google Play rating dropped from 4.7/5 to 2.8/5. The controversy followed warnings from ByBit’s CEO, Ben Zhou, who expressed concerns about Pi Network being a potential scam.

Despite the mounting pressure, analysts believe Binance has valid reasons for withholding Pi from its platform.

Questions Over Pi Network’s Viability

Blockchain expert Anh Bang pointed out that Pi Network, despite launching its mainnet in February 2025 after six years in development, still lacks essential features like smart contracts and open-source code. These components are crucial for establishing legitimacy in the crypto space.

Additionally, critics question Pi Network’s decentralized structure, noting that all active mainnet nodes are controlled by the Pi Network team rather than independent validators.

Originally launched in 2019, Pi Network gained popularity by allowing users to mine Pi coins through a mobile app without requiring significant computational power. However, its slow progress in developing a fully functional blockchain has raised doubts about its long-term sustainability.

Could Binance’s Decision Harm Pi Network’s Future?

The growing tensions between Pi Network supporters and major exchanges could ultimately hurt the project more than help it.

“Not only Binance, but other exchanges may also hesitate to engage with the Pi Network community if they fear backlash for not meeting expectations,” Hoang Anh warned. “Missing out on Binance could ultimately hurt the Pi project more than it benefits it.”

Founded in 2017, Binance quickly rose to become the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, surpassing $22 billion in daily trading volume by 2018, according to CoinMarketCap.

While Pi Network supporters continue to push for a Binance listing, the controversy raises questions about the project’s readiness and whether pressure tactics will achieve the desired results—or backfire in the long run.