Pi Network and Ice Open Network have emerged as leaders in mobile-accessible cryptocurrencies. Both protocols aim to simplify blockchain access but pursue different strategies to achieve their goals.
The Origins of Pi Network and Ice Open Network
Pi Network was founded in 2019 by a team of Stanford graduates with the aim to make cryptocurrency accessible through mobile mining. In February 2025, the protocol officially opened its mainnet (Open Network). Ice Open Network (ION), starting in 2023, is a Layer-1 blockchain focused on integrating the internet and blockchain. ION's primary focus is creating a decentralized economy with high performance.
Key Features
Ice Open Network offers scalability and the ability to handle up to 1.2 million transactions per second. The platform supports decentralized applications (dApp) and has an open-source codebase. Pi Network operates on the Stellar Consensus Protocol, providing a lightweight and efficient mobile mining infrastructure, but its codebase is closed. The primary assets for both protocols are ICE and PI, which play key roles in their ecosystems.
User Base, Adoption, and Recent Developments
Pi Network has 60 million active users, while ION has 40 million. Both protocols are actively expanding their user base through events and strategic partnerships. This development allows both platforms to gain market positions despite different approaches to user engagement and code transparency.
Pi Network and Ice Open Network showcase different approaches to developing blockchain technologies through mobile devices. ION is appealing to developers due to its openness and scalability, while Pi Network focuses on accessibility and community engagement. Both protocols are making strides towards shaping the future of decentralized technologies.
