Finally: Pi Network Mainnet Officially Launching on February 20, 2025

Pi Network is set to transition to the Open Network period of Mainnet at 8:00 AM UTC on February 20, 2025. This milestone marks a significant achievement in Pi’s journey to becoming the world’s most inclusive peer-to-peer ecosystem powered by its native cryptocurrency, Pi. This transition is a testament to the dedication and effort of the Pi community over the last six years.

With over 10.14 million Mainnet migrations—surpassing the initial goal of 10 million—Pi is poised to open its utilities-driven ecosystem. This vibrant community of more than 19 million identity-verified Pioneers can now utilize Pi as a cryptocurrency with real-world applications. As the Open Network launch approaches, let's revisit Pi’s journey, understand what to expect on launch day, and learn how to prepare for this new chapter.

Pi Network's Six-Year Journey

Pi Network's path to the Open Network is built on a series of carefully planned phases and milestones. Driven by its community, the ecosystem has evolved through continuous development and strategic transitions. The Mainnet Phase 3 began in December 2021 with the Enclosed Network period. This phase enabled Mainnet to operate behind a firewall, preventing external connectivity while laying the foundation for Open Network. During this time:

• Pioneers completed KYC and obtained Pi on Mainnet.

• Developers created applications and utilities to enhance the Pi ecosystem.

• The Core Team introduced and improved various Pi features and utilities.

In March 2022, a new mining rewards issuance formula was introduced, designed to balance network growth, accessibility, longevity, and scarcity. This model rewarded Pioneers for their contributions while ensuring sustainable growth.

The Grace Period and Its Impact

The Grace Period, implemented on July 1, 2024, was a strategic move to accelerate progress towards Open Network. It balanced the need to provide Pioneers sufficient time to pass KYC and obtain Pi on Mainnet while motivating users to complete the process. This initiative also ensured that unverified Pi would be reallocated for mining by other active Pioneers, promoting an inclusive and dynamic network.

During this period, Pioneers transacted Pi within the network. Notably, PiFest 2024 facilitated local commerce by enabling Pi transactions for goods and services, attracting over 27,000 active sellers, 28,000 test merchants across 160 countries, and engaging over 950,000 Pioneers. This event showcased Pi’s integrated ecosystem, seamlessly connecting the Map of Pi, Pi Wallet, Pi Mainnet blockchain, and the Fireside Forum for social sharing.

Open Network Launch: What to Expect

The Open Network launch will introduce external connectivity to Pi's layer-1 blockchain, creating new opportunities for Pioneers and businesses to engage with external systems securely. This transition expands Pi's utility and reach, enabling transactions beyond the Pi ecosystem.

Once the firewall is removed, users can technically add nodes to the Mainnet blockchain. The Core Team will gradually invite Pioneers to transition their nodes from Testnet to Mainnet through the desktop node UI, prioritizing users with strong historical contributions and reliability scores. Node rank data will be made public soon.

Business Compliance for Network Participation

To ensure a safe and compliant ecosystem, participating in Mainnet blockchain activities requires KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for Pioneers and KYB (Know Your Business) verification for businesses. This compliance framework facilitates secure interactions between KYC-verified Pioneers and KYB-verified businesses, creating a trusted Web3 space.

Businesses can apply for KYB verification through an upcoming webpage. After Open Network launches, a list of KYB-verified businesses will be available on the Pi website. This transparent system enhances security and trust within the ecosystem.

Open Network Conditions and Timeline

The decision to launch Open Network on February 20, 2025, is based on conditions set and communicated to the community in December 2023. Since the December 2024 timeline update, Pi Network has made significant progress in meeting these conditions, including:

• Completion of all necessary tech, product, business, and legal preparations.

• Verification of 19 million Pioneers through Pi's KYC solution, surpassing the original goal of 15 million.

• Over 10.14 million Mainnet migrations, exceeding the initial target of 10 million.

• Achievement of over 100 Mainnet-ready applications, ensuring a vibrant and diverse utility ecosystem.

With all conditions met, Pi Network is ready for the Open Network phase. Pioneers are encouraged to complete KYC and migrate to Mainnet if they haven't already, while developers are invited to refine and launch applications that contribute to the community and ecosystem utility.

Preparing for the Open Network Period

As Pi Network transitions to Open Network, active participation from Pioneers and developers is crucial for maintaining network strength and resilience. Here’s how to get involved:

For Pioneers:

• Continue mining with rate adjustments aligned with the declining exponential issuance model and monthly limits.

• Engage with Pi Apps to support ecosystem development and expand utility.

• Participate in local commerce by using Pi for peer-to-peer transactions, promoting real-world utility.

• Complete KYC and Mainnet migration if not yet done, ensuring eligibility for Open Network activities.

For Developers:

• Improve existing Mainnet apps to enhance user experiences and address emerging challenges.

• Develop new Mainnet applications to contribute to the Pi Ecosystem's growth and utility.

Expanding Pi’s Utility and Reach

The Open Network period will significantly expand Pi's utility by connecting it to external systems and enabling interactions with other compliant networks. This connectivity paves the way for new use cases, including decentralized finance (DeFi), cross-chain applications, and global peer-to-peer transactions.

Moreover, the transparent compliance framework ensures that all participants, whether individuals or businesses, are verified, promoting security and trust. As Pi's ecosystem continues to grow, its utility as a cryptocurrency with real-world functions becomes more evident, making it an attractive option for businesses and users worldwide.

The Future of Pi Network

As Pi Network moves into the Open Network phase, it invites Pioneers, developers, and businesses to collaborate, innovate, and drive growth. This new chapter promises exciting opportunities and challenges, paving the way for a sustainable, decentralized, and robust community-driven economy.

The Open Network launch on February 20, 2025, is not just a milestone for Pi Network but a significant step towards realizing the vision of a more inclusive and accessible digital economy. As Pi continues to evolve, its impact on global commerce and peer-to-peer interactions will undoubtedly shape the future of decentralized ecosystems.

FAQs

1. What is the Pi Network Open Network launch?

The Open Network launch on February 20, 2025, marks Pi Network's transition to a fully connected Mainnet, allowing external interactions and expanding utility for its cryptocurrency, Pi.

2. What changes with the Open Network?

The Open Network introduces external connectivity, enabling Pi to interact with other compliant systems and networks, thereby increasing its utility and reach.

3. How can Pioneers prepare for Open Network?

Pioneers should complete KYC and migrate to Mainnet if not already done. They should also continue mining, engage with Pi Apps, and participate in local commerce using Pi.

4. What is required for businesses to participate in Mainnet?

Businesses must complete KYB (Know Your Business) verification to participate in Mainnet blockchain activities, ensuring a safe and compliant ecosystem.

5. Will external nodes be allowed on Mainnet?

Yes, after the firewall is removed, external nodes can be added to Mainnet. The Core Team will invite Pioneers with high reliability scores to transition their nodes from Testnet to Mainnet.

6. How does Pi Network ensure security and compliance?

Pi Network uses KYC verification for Pioneers and KYB verification for businesses to maintain a secure and compliant environment for all participants.

As Pi Network embarks on this transformative journey, its commitment to inclusivity, security, and real-world utility continues to shape its future as a pioneering cryptocurrency ecosystem.