On February 20, 2025, Pi Network officially launched its Open Network, marking a new phase in the project's six-year development journey. This significant event allows users, known as "Pioneers," to utilize digital coins outside the closed ecosystem.
From Enclosed to Open: The Evolution of Pi Network
Pi Network was launched in 2019 by two Stanford graduates with the goal of democratizing cryptocurrency. Through an innovative approach, the project introduced mining coins via a mobile app, attracting millions of users worldwide. In December 2021, the network entered an enclosed phase, enabling users to undergo verification and migrate coins to the mainnet. The Open Network, announced in December 2023, required certain conditions to be met for its full launch: achieving a critical mass of KYC-verified users and a thriving app ecosystem.
What is the Open Network?
The Open Network provides users the ability to utilize their Pi coins beyond the internal ecosystem. Technical standards allow running nodes on the Mainnet, while verified businesses can integrate, enhancing transaction security and reliability. Connecting to centralized exchanges opens new trading opportunities, and developers gain access to create decentralized applications considering the large user base.
Ecosystem Takes Flight
The Open Network is the result of years of preparation and the build-up of a comprehensive ecosystem. More than 100 applications are now available in the Pi Browser, offering diverse solutions from social platforms to commercial services. Events like PiFest emphasize the focus on real world crypto usage. With over 200,000 nodes, the network has great potential for a wide variety of tasks including training AI models and other digital initiatives.
The Open Network of Pi Network launched just a month ago but already generates active interest. The introduction of new features and events ensures the network's growth. The success of the project depends on the collective efforts of Pioneers, developers, and the team working on the project. The future of the network promises to be exciting.