February 20, 2025, marked a significant day for Pi Network as it opened to external systems. This step represents the culmination of years of development and signifies a major technical upgrade for millions of users known as 'Pioneers'.
From Enclosed to Open: The Evolution of Pi Network
Pi Network's journey began on March 14, 2019, when two Stanford graduates launched the project with the goal of democratizing cryptocurrency. Pi Network's unique feature was mobile app-based mining, attracting tens of millions of users from 230 countries. After initial beta and testnet stages, Pi moved to an enclosed network phase in December 2021. Surrounded by a 'firewall', the network allowed users to complete KYC and migrate mined coins to the mainnet. The Open Network, announced in 2023, became the next phase aimed at expansion and connectivity to external systems.
What is the Open Network?
The Open Network opens opportunities for users to use Pi beyond the ecosystem's boundaries, transforming Pi from an experiment into a full-fledged cryptocurrency. Anyone can run a node on the network, and businesses that pass KYB can integrate with the Pi ecosystem. This expansion includes trading pairs on centralized exchanges and supports the development of new decentralized applications.
Ecosystem Takes Flight
The Open Network is the result of years of preparation. The community developed over 100 applications available on the Pi Browser. Events like the Open Network PiFest demonstrate Pi's real-world adaptation, connecting users with local merchants worldwide. Over 200,000 nodes with a combined power of over 1 million CPUs provide a powerful computational infrastructure, opening possibilities for future tasks.
The launch of the Open Network is a significant milestone for Pi Network, showcasing its commitment to inclusivity. The success of this cryptocurrency will depend on community activity, developer ingenuity, and the team's capacity to navigate industry challenges.
