Pi Network (PI) Tokenomics
Pi Network (PI) Information
Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project that aims to make mining accessible through mobile devices. Unlike traditional cryptocurrency mining, which requires significant computing power, Pi Network allows users to mine on smartphones with low energy consumption. The project is designed to provide a beginner-friendly operating environment.
What is Pi Network?
Pi Network (abbreviated as PI) was launched in 2019 by a team of PhDs from Stanford University in the United States. Its vision is to make cryptocurrency accessible and usable for everyone. Unlike Bitcoin, which requires high-performance mining machines and significant electricity consumption, Pi introduces an innovation: users can participate in network consensus and earn token rewards simply by tapping the mobile app once a day.
The vision of Pi is to build the world's most inclusive peer-to-peer ecosystem and online experience. In the future, users will be able to use PI for payments, transfers, and even consumption within Pi ecosystem applications.
Pi Network's Mining Mechanism
One of the most notable features of Pi Network is its mining mechanism. It is based on the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a lightweight consensus algorithm that does not require the energy-intensive computations used in Bitcoin, and is designed to minimize resource consumption.
Key characteristics of Pi Network's mining process include:
- Logging into the app daily to activate mining.
- Building a trust network by inviting and verifying friends, which significantly improves mining efficiency.
- An intuitive interface that makes it easy to monitor mining activity.
- Real-time tracking of mining progress and accumulated rewards.
How to Obtain Pi
Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Pi was initially obtained through mobile mining:
- Download the Pi Network app and register an account
- Tap the lightning button once per day to start mining
- Invite friends to join in order to increase mining power
- Complete KYC (identity verification) before PI can be transferred to the mainnet wallet
Today, PI is also listed on MEXC, allowing users to trade directly on the platform:
- Sign up for an account on MEXC and complete identity verification
- Deposit funds using a bank card or USDT
- In the trading section, select the PI/USDT trading pair to buy PI
This shift marks Pi's transition from "on-paper mining" to actual circulation and tradability.
Pi's Value and Price
The price of Pi has always been one of the community's main concerns. Since Pi is still in the transition phase toward the Open Network and the official team has not yet fully released all tokens, its market price is primarily determined by supply and demand on exchanges.
On platforms such as MEXC, Pi has experienced significant volatility, rising sharply at the time of listing before stabilizing through subsequent corrections. This reflects both speculation and shifting expectations in the market. At present, Pi’s value largely depends on the pace of ecosystem application rollout and the level of activity within its global community.
Looking ahead, if the Pi team succeeds in advancing the application ecosystem, Pi could move beyond its current boundaries and unlock more practical use cases. In that scenario, the PI token could evolve from a “community coin” into a genuine cryptocurrency asset.
Is Pi Worth Investing In?
The investment logic of Pi differs from that of Bitcoin. Bitcoin's core value lies in "scarcity" and "decentralization," while Pi emphasizes "inclusiveness" and "application ecosystem."
Advantages:
- Large user base, with tens of millions of active users worldwide
- Very low mining threshold, making it accessible to the general public
- A project vision focused on building an ecosystem rather than pure speculation
Risks:
- High price volatility, with significant influence from market sentiment
- Less transparency in project progress compared with Bitcoin or Ethereum
Therefore, if users believe in the widespread adoption of Web3 and mass-market applications, Pi may be considered as a small part of an investment portfolio.
Common Investment Approaches for Pi
- Long-term holding (HODL): Buy and hold for the long term, based on confidence in Pi's future potential.
- Dollar-cost averaging (DCA): Invest a fixed amount each month, regardless of price fluctuations, to spread out cost.
- Short-term trading: Take advantage of price volatility by using real-time market data and trading tools provided by MEXC to capture arbitrage opportunities.
- Ecosystem participation: Use PI for spending and payments in future Pi applications, enabling the token to truly circulate.
Why Does Pi's Price Fluctuate?
Pi's price is influenced by the following factors:
- Community engagement: User activity and discussions on social media
- Ecosystem development: The launch of dApps, marketplaces, or payment channels
- Market sentiment: Bull and bear trends in the broader cryptocurrency market
In short, Pi's price movement shows a "dual-driven" pattern: it depends both on the project's own development progress and on the cyclical fluctuations of the cryptocurrency market.
Where Can You Buy Pi?
MEXC provides a secure and convenient channel for PI trading:
- Low fees: Transparent trading costs for higher capital efficiency
- Multiple deposit methods: Supports bank cards, credit cards, and stablecoin transfers
- Professional tools: Real-time market charts and analysis features
- High security: Bank-level encryption to protect user assets
- Global community support: Access to customer service and multi-language support at any time
For beginners, MEXC is an ideal platform to start investing in Pi.
Pi Network is a cryptocurrency experiment built on the principle of accessibility for everyone. From mobile mining to being listed on exchanges, it demonstrates the potential for increased adoption.
Pi Network (PI) Tokenomics & Price Analysis
Explore key tokenomics and price data for Pi Network (PI), including market cap, supply details, FDV, and price history. Understand the token's current value and market position at a glance.
In-Depth Token Structure of Pi Network (PI)
Dive deeper into how PI tokens are issued, allocated, and unlocked. This section highlights key aspects of the token's economic structure: utility, incentives, and vesting.
Overview
Pi Network is a decentralized cryptocurrency platform that enables users to mine Pi coins directly from their mobile devices. The project aims to build an inclusive peer-to-peer ecosystem powered by the Pi cryptocurrency, with a focus on accessibility, utility, and community-driven growth. The tokenomics of Pi are designed to incentivize network participation, ensure fair distribution, and support long-term ecosystem development.
Issuance Mechanism
-
Mining-Based Issuance:
Pi coins are primarily issued through a mobile mining process. Users, known as "Pioneers," earn Pi by contributing to network security and growth via app usage, node operation, and community engagement. The mining rewards are distributed based on individual and collective contributions, with the rate of issuance decreasing over time as the network matures. -
Fixed Supply Cap:
The total supply of Pi is capped at 100 billion tokens, as outlined in the project's whitepaper. This cap is intended to prevent unchecked inflation and to provide a predictable monetary policy.
Allocation Mechanism
While Pi Network has not published a detailed allocation pie chart as seen in some other projects, the available information from the whitepaper and ecosystem updates suggests the following broad allocation structure:
| Allocation Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Mining Rewards (Community) | Majority of tokens distributed to users for mining and network participation |
| Ecosystem Development | Reserved for app developers, ecosystem incentives, and future growth |
| Team & Foundation | Allocated to the core team and foundation for ongoing development |
| Reserves | Held for unforeseen needs, partnerships, or future initiatives |
- Mining Rewards: The largest share is allocated to users who mine Pi, incentivizing early adoption and ongoing participation.
- Ecosystem Development: A significant portion is reserved for supporting decentralized applications (dApps), partnerships, and ecosystem expansion.
- Team & Foundation: A smaller allocation is set aside for the core team and foundation to fund development, operations, and long-term sustainability.
Usage and Incentive Mechanism
-
Utility:
Pi is intended to be used as a medium of exchange within the Pi Network ecosystem, powering transactions, payments for goods and services, and interactions with dApps. -
Incentives:
- Mining Rewards: Users are incentivized to secure the network and invite others, with mining rates decreasing as the network grows.
- Node Operation: Running a node or contributing to network infrastructure yields additional rewards.
- Ecosystem Participation: Developers and users are rewarded for building and using dApps, further driving network activity.
-
Recent Developments:
The launch of the Open Network phase in February 2025 enabled external connectivity, allowing Pi to be used beyond the native ecosystem and increasing its utility.
Locking Mechanism
-
Token Lock-Up:
Pi Network employs a token lock-up mechanism to encourage long-term holding and network stability. Users can voluntarily lock a portion of their mined Pi for a set period, receiving higher mining rates or other incentives in return. -
Lock-Up Incentives:
In 2025, Pi Network introduced a 200% token lock-up incentive to strengthen network stability, rewarding users who commit to longer lock-up periods. -
Migration and KYC:
During the Enclosed Mainnet phase, users were required to complete KYC and migrate their balances to the Mainnet, with unclaimed or unverified tokens subject to lock-up or forfeiture.
Unlocking Time
-
Gradual Unlocks:
Pi tokens are unlocked and become transferable as users complete KYC and migrate to the Mainnet. The unlocking process is phased, with deadlines and grace periods to ensure fair participation. -
Scheduled Unlocks:
- Short-Term: Over 215 million PI tokens were set to unlock in July 2025, with 13.3 million unlocking on July 11, potentially increasing sell pressure.
- Long-Term: Analysts expect the unlock rate to decrease significantly by 2028, potentially boosting scarcity and value.
-
Market Impact:
Large unlock events have historically led to increased selling pressure and price volatility. The absence of a token burning mechanism and concerns about centralization have also been cited as factors affecting price performance.
Recent Token Supply and Unlock Trends
-
Current Supply:
As of September 2025, the total supply of Pi is approximately 12.45 billion tokens, with the supply increasing gradually as mining and unlocks continue. -
Unlock Events:
- April 2025: 2.3 million tokens unlocked on April 14, increasing to nearly 10 million by April 18.
- July 2025: Over 246 million tokens set to unlock, with 13.3 million on July 11.
-
Future Outlook:
The unlock rate is expected to decline over time, which may reduce sell pressure and support price stability if network adoption and utility continue to grow.
Summary Table: Pi Network Tokenomics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuance Mechanism | Mobile mining, decreasing rewards, capped at 100B tokens |
| Allocation Mechanism | Majority to mining rewards, with portions for ecosystem, team, and reserves |
| Usage/Incentives | Payments, dApps, mining, node operation, lock-up rewards |
| Locking Mechanism | Voluntary lock-up for higher rewards, KYC migration lock-up, 200% lock-up incentive |
| Unlocking Time | Phased unlocks post-KYC, scheduled unlock events, declining unlock rate over time |
Nuances, Risks, and Implications
-
Incentive Alignment:
The mining and lock-up mechanisms are designed to reward early and active participants, but may also concentrate supply among early adopters. -
Unlock Risks:
Large scheduled unlocks can create significant sell pressure, leading to price volatility. The lack of a burning mechanism may exacerbate inflationary risks. -
Centralization Concerns:
Criticisms have been raised regarding centralization and transparency, particularly around the absence of a public, detailed allocation chart and the role of the core team. -
Long-Term Scarcity:
As the unlock rate declines and more tokens are locked or used within the ecosystem, scarcity may increase, potentially supporting price appreciation if demand grows. -
Ecosystem Growth:
The success of Pi's tokenomics ultimately depends on the growth of real-world utility, adoption of dApps, and continued community engagement.
References
- Pi Whitepaper chapters: Pi Token Model, Mining Mechanism, and Roadmap
- Pi Network Blog
- Recent Market and Unlock Analysis
- Ecosystem and Unlock Developments
- Unlock Event Warnings
- Stellar Collaboration and Lock-Up Incentives
Note: The Pi Network tokenomics are subject to ongoing development and community feedback. For the most current details, consult the official Pi Network blog and whitepaper.
Pi Network (PI) Tokenomics: Key Metrics Explained and Use Cases
Understanding the tokenomics of Pi Network (PI) is essential for analyzing its long-term value, sustainability, and potential.
Key Metrics and How They Are Calculated:
Total Supply:
The maximum number of PI tokens that have been or will ever be created.
Circulating Supply:
The number of tokens currently available on the market and in public hands.
Max Supply:
The hard cap on how many PI tokens can exist in total.
FDV (Fully Diluted Valuation):
Calculated as current price × max supply, giving a projection of total market cap if all tokens are in circulation.
Inflation Rate:
Reflects how fast new tokens are introduced, affecting scarcity and long-term price movement.
Why Do These Metrics Matter for Traders?
High circulating supply = greater liquidity.
Limited max supply + low inflation = potential for long-term price appreciation.
Transparent token distribution = better trust in the project and lower risk of centralized control.
High FDV with low current market cap = possible overvaluation signals.
Now that you understand PI's tokenomics, explore PI token's live price!
How to Buy PI
Interested in adding Pi Network (PI) to your portfolio? MEXC supports various methods to buy PI, including credit cards, bank transfers, and peer-to-peer trading. Whether you're a beginner or pro, MEXC makes crypto buying easy and secure.
Pi Network (PI) Price History
Analyzing the price history of PI helps users understand past market movements, key support/resistance levels, and volatility patterns. Whether you are tracking all-time highs or identifying trends, historical data is a crucial part of price prediction and technical analysis.
PI Price Prediction
Want to know where PI might be heading? Our PI price prediction page combines market sentiment, historical trends, and technical indicators to provide a forward-looking view.
Why Should You Choose MEXC?
MEXC is one of the world's top crypto exchanges, trusted by millions of users globally. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, MEXC is your easiest way to crypto.
Disclaimer
Tokenomics data on this page is from third-party sources. MEXC does not guarantee its accuracy. Please conduct thorough research before investing.
Buy Pi Network (PI)
Amount
1 PI = 0.28335 USD