What Is Pi Network?
Pi Network is a cryptocurrency launched in March 2019 that utilizes Proof-of-Work, where users mine Pi coins through their mobile phones. As Pi Network is not officially listed for trading on any exchanges, its value is highly speculative.
Key Takeaways
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Pi Network offers users a mobile mining feature, where they can mine Pi coins on their mobile devices using the Pi mobile application. They take part in block validation and receive rewards in Pi coins.
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Pi coin is the native token of the Pi Network, and holders can use Pi coin to pay transaction fees and perform transactions within the Pi ecosystem. The Pi Network mainnet supply model has a maximum total supply of 100 billion Pi coins.
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When interacting with Pi Network, investors are advised to do their own research before investing in the cryptocurrency, as there have been reports of unauthorized listings of the Pi cryptocurrency.
Introduction to Pi Network
Pi Network is positioned as an attempt to simplify the accessibility and introduce more people to cryptocurrency through a simple crypto mining and management system. It was officially launched on 14 March 2019 by Nicolas Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan.
Pi Network offers a mobile mining feature, where users can mine Pi coins on their Android and iOS devices using the Pi mobile application. Participation in the mining program was solely by invitation. After installing and setting up the application, users can mine Pi coins on their devices with a single click. Since its launch, the Pi network has garnered a large social media following and has seen incredible growth in participation with a reported 33 million members as of 2022.
Members of the Pi network are popularly known as Pioneers, and they can earn Pi coins by playing a number of roles including running a node on their personal computers, referring new members, or mining Pi coins on their mobile devices.
Note: While Pi coin is listed on CoinGecko, please note that the mainnet is not yet launched and prices shown are for IOUs that may not be transferable across exchanges. Always DYOR and proceed with caution.
How Pi Network Works
For the beta stage of the Pi Network project, the mobile application simulates the mining system which will be properly launched when the mainnet is fully functional. The mobile application users take part in block validation and receive rewards in Pi cryptocurrency.
When active, miners on the mobile app connect to one or more nodes. When connected, mobile miners inquire if the transaction has been recorded on the ledger. They also get the most recent block number and the hash value of that block.
Rewards for mining the block are distributed to the node owners and the mobile miners.
Consensus Algorithm
Pi Network runs the Stellar Consensus protocol (SCP). SCP was developed by David Mazières, Chief scientist at Stellar Development Foundation for the Stellar blockchain. It uses a novel mechanism called Federated Byzantine Agreements to ensure that updates to a distributed ledger are accurate and trustworthy.
The SCP protocol employs a real voting system. Nodes on the network vote on the validity of a block and the next block to be mined. A block is only mined when a majority of the nodes agree that it should be mined next and also confirm its validity. The nodes that participate in this consensus are elected by the creator of the system. The SCP is energy-friendly but is criticized for being centralized.
Tokenomics and Reward System
Pi coin is the native token of the Pi Network. Users on the Pi Network earn Pi coins through mining. Holders can use their Pi coins to pay transaction fees and also perform transactions on applications and marketplaces built in the Pi ecosystem. Pi coin supply system is guided by activities on the network and distributed solely as user rewards.
There was no official pre-mine, but users who participated in the beta mining program can port their tokens to the mainnet. Unlike many other cryptocurrencies, it doesn’t have a fixed total supply.
Each user that joins the Pi Network (by creating a Pi account) is allocated a pre-determined number of Pi coins. This allocated amount is mined over time. That is, the user can only mine this allocated number of tokens throughout their lifetime. This allocation is made only to the first 100 million users on the Pi network. A reward system also exists for users who refer new members to the Pi cryptocurrency project.
The Pi coin mining protocol mints an extra Pi coin for every coin minted for a member or referral reward. This extra coin is reserved for compensating developers on the network. The total Pi coin supply is a sum of the member, referral, and developer reward, and based on their whitepaper, the mainnet supply model has a maximum total supply of 100 billion Pi.
Governance Model
Pi Network operates a ‘Semi-DAO’ governance model. In contrast to the widely known decentralized governance system, Pi Network adopts a governance system that keeps a central team in charge while the community forms a strong force that contributes to the project’s decision-making. The governance model system varies; a two-phase plan that depends on the number of active network users.
If the number of active users on the Pi Network is less than five million, the team directly solicits inputs from the general community on proposals. Through the project’s forum built on the mobile mining application and other engagement media, the project team opens up conversations with the community. Inputs from the rest of the community are considered before making the final decision. The team ultimately decides the next line of action. As the community grows and exceeds five million active participants, the second phase of the governance system is employed. The team sets up a committee consisting of known contributors from the community. The Committee is in charge of developing proposals and organizing community contributions. The Pi Network forum is still open to contributions from the community. The committee proceeds to make a final decision using contributions from the community members.
Testnet and Mainnet System
Pi Network was launched as a research project and operated its beta phase as early as 2018. The Testnet was launched about two years later and allowed developers on the Pi Network to test certain features before they were finally deployed on the mainnet.
After much anticipation, Pi Network launched its mainnet in the last quarter of 2021. The mainnet provides a platform for pioneers to create a proper wallet and port their mined Pi cryptocurrency to their wallet and perform peer-to-peer transactions.
Check out this video tutorial to learn how you can create a mainnet wallet and transfer your Pi coins.
The mainnet migration features a KYC verification process and a list of to-dos that qualifies users to own and operate a proper wallet. If Pioneers delay their KYC verification beyond six months, their Pi will not be transferred to the mainnet and will not be accounted for in the calculation of the Pi Network system's base mining rate. This means their Pi will be reallocated for mining in the same year by other verified Pioneers.
This compulsory KYC is still a topic of popular discussion, and the project has been accused of complete centralization.
Is Pi Network a Scam?
If you have any interest in Pi Network, there’s a high chance that your interest is dashed by negative statements around the value of Pi coins and the questions surrounding the legitimacy of the project.
This is mainly due to the delay on the mainnet and listing of the Pi cryptocurrency on exchanges.
Thanks to users’ inability to move their mined Pi coins and the general sentiment on mobile mining, Pi Network was branded a ‘high-level’ marketing scheme and predicted to end ultimately as a scam. The continuous growth of the Pi Network community and the delay in listing the mined cryptocurrencies on exchanges further intensified these statements.
The Pi crypto team is attempting to prove otherwise with their recent developments. The launch of the mainnet now allows users to spend their Pi cryptocurrency, and several marketplaces are rumored to accept payments in Pi coins.
PCM does not participate in pricing. We also do not interfere with sellers' pricing. However, we will monitor the barter closely. Fraudulent behavior will be punished. You can view the relevant content in the Pi Chain Mall User Agreement. pic.twitter.com/kge0yfLqN1
— PiChain International (@pichainmall) August 25, 2022
The PiChain International is reportedly being developed to allow merchants to create stores and accept payment in Pi coins. Social media updates suggest the marketplace is actively being developed and nearing its initial release, though it remains to be seen.
What is the Value of Pi Network's PI?
On 26th December 2022, Huobi Global announced that they would be reviewing Pi for listing after its upcoming open mainnet launch. A few days later, on 29th December, Pi was listed on Huobi and a few other exchanges, hitting an all-time high of $307.49 on 30th December.
As the mainnet is not yet launched, do note that the prices shown on certain exchanges are for IOUs that may not be transferable across exchanges. At the current time of writing, the current listings ranges from a low of $4 to a high of $89.
Investors should endeavor to do their own research while working with these speculations, and proceed with caution.
The Pi Core Team has released an announcement, stating that Pi Network has not been involved with any purported listing of Pi and any related tokens, and that they are requesting to have these exchange listings removed.
Pi has not been listed on any exchange, and Pi Network has not been involved with any purported listings. You could sustain substantial loss by participating in unauthorized listings. Read more on our website: https://t.co/rbntZ7DROj pic.twitter.com/LJztPOH35c
— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) December 30, 2022
Final Thoughts
The big question remains about the legitimacy of Pi cryptocurrency and if it has any value.
Despite the plausible technological developments and the community the project has managed to build over the past four years, its reputation is still in question.
Considering the rigorous computational protocols involved in cryptocurrency mining, Pi Network provides an accessible way to understand cryptocurrency mining, and has seen a positive reception from enthusiasts who believe in the idea of earning cryptocurrency with minimal effort through mobile mining. But the doubt still remains on whether Pi Network will deliver on its promises.
A majority of the cryptocurrency community is still sceptical about the legitimacy of Pi Network's mobile mining offerings and still doubts the intentions of the project. Even with the launch of the mainnet and some serious developments and adoptions going on in the Pi community, these sentiments haven’t changed too much, as the Pi coin remains unlisted on exchanges, rendering it unsellable at time of writing.
As in the case of every other cryptocurrency venture, investors are advised to apply caution. Cryptocurrencies are still high-risk investments and Pi coin is no exception.
Joel is deeply interested in the technologies behind cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks. In his over 7 years of involvement in the space, he helps startups build a stronger internet presence through written content. He is the founder of CryptocurrencyScripts. Follow the author on Twitter @agboifesinachi
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