What Pi Network does

Pi Network, operated by SocialChain Inc. and headquartered in Palo Alto, is a private cryptocurrency platform founded in March 2019 by Nicolas Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan. The project operates a Layer 1 blockchain adapted from the Stellar Consensus Protocol using Federated Byzantine Agreement, enabling energy-efficient mobile mining without proof-of-work hardware requirements. Its flagship consumer product is a free mobile mining app available on iOS and Android, where users ("Pioneers") mine Pi tokens via daily check-ins and grow the network through referral codes and Security Circles.

The platform's product surface spans Pi Wallet (non-custodial ed25519 multi-signature wallet), Pi Browser (Web3 app gateway), Pi Node (desktop consensus participation at three tiers), Pi DEX, Pi Launchpad (token launch platform with liquidity-pool-based proceeds), and Pi App Studio (no-code developer tooling with AI integrations). Identity infrastructure includes Pi KYC, a decentralized human-AI verification system that has processed 526M+ validations across 18M+ unique identities and is positioned for commercial KYC-as-a-Service licensing. The ecosystem supports 300+ apps, 37,800+ Pi App Studio creations, and 148,000+ Map of Pi local commerce sellers, with strategic partnerships in Web3 gaming (CiDi Games), robotics AI (OpenMind), payments (Zypto), and institutional finance (Valour ETP on Sweden's Spotlight Stock Market).

Pi Network's business model is predominantly token-driven rather than fee-driven: the company does not conduct ICO or token-sale fundraising, generates no disclosed revenue, and relies on a freemium model for consumer access. Identified and planned revenue streams include Pi Network Ventures returns from a $100M corporate venture fund, KYC-as-a-Service licensing, Pi Ad Network, Pi App Studio fees, ETP-related value capture, and developer platform monetization. Token value has contracted approximately 95-96% from its February 2025 Open Mainnet peak of ~$3.00 to $0.12-$0.14 by June 2026, with limited tier-1 exchange access and geographic restrictions in China and partial US restrictions. The project is pursuing MiCA compliance for EU regulated market access ahead of the July 2026 deadline.

Name

Pi Network

Legal name

SocialChain Inc.

Website

https://minepi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pi Network, operated by SocialChain Inc., is a mobile-first cryptocurrency platform serving 60M+ registered users with a Layer 1 blockchain enabling free mobile mining, Web3 apps, KYC identity infrastructure, and a $100M venture fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cryptocurrency Platform

NAICS

Securities and Commodity Exchanges (52321)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200), Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Layer 1 Base Protocols & Consensus (execution, consensus, security, clients) (FSAPAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Asset/Crypto Trade Execution Platforms (FSAFANAO), DEX Aggregators & Smart Order Routing (FSADABAC), Digital Asset Risk, Security & Audit Tooling (Smart Contract Audit, Threat Monitoring) (FSAGAMAJ), DEX Analytics, Indexers & Trading Terminals (FSADABAK), Wallet Connectivity & Session Protocols (WalletConnect, deep links, QR, auth sessions) (FSAPACAF)

Keywords

• Mobile cryptocurrency mining
• Blockchain consensus protocol
• Web3 app platform
• Identity verification services
• Peer-to-peer digital payments

Headquarters

HQ city

Palo Alto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Pi Token Economics: Pi Network's primary revenue mechanism is its native PI cryptocurrency token. The token derives value from network utility including in-app payments, staking, ecosystem participation, and external exchange trading. Mining rewards are distributed to Pioneers, Contributors, Ambassadors, and Node operators based on a meritocratic formula considering security circles, referral teams, lockup periods, node uptime, and app usage. The maximum total supply is 100 billion Pi.
2. KYC-as-a-Service: Pi Network plans to offer its KYC verification system as a commercial service to external Web3 and traditional businesses, leveraging its verified human identity infrastructure built through 18+ million KYC verifications.
3. ETP Products: Valour launched the first institutional Pi Network ETP on Sweden's Spotlight Stock Market, providing regulated access to Pi tokens for European investors. This creates revenue through standard ETP management fee structures.
4. Pi Launchpad Fees: The Launchpad platform enables token launches on Pi Network with proceeds directed to liquidity pools rather than project teams. The platform may generate fees from launch facilitation and ecosystem token transactions.
5. Pi App Studio / Developer Platform: Developer tools and platform services for building apps on Pi Network, potentially generating revenue through premium developer services, SDK access, or app store-style revenue sharing.
6. Pi Ad Network: Advertising marketplace where companies can compensate Pioneers in Pi for their attention, creating a revenue stream from advertisers seeking access to Pi's verified user base.
7. Pi Network Ventures Returns: The $100 million venture fund backs startups in AI, fintech, gaming, e-commerce, and robotics with potential financial returns from portfolio company success, investments in OpenMind and CiDi Games already disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Pi Network operates a Layer 1 blockchain and ecosystem built around its native Pi cryptocurrency, accessible via a free mobile mining app that allows users to mine Pi on their phones without draining battery. The platform encompasses Pi Wallet (non-custodial storage), Pi Browser (Web3 gateway), Pi Node (desktop consensus participation), Pi App Studio (no-code developer tooling), Pi Launchpad (token launch platform), Pi DEX (decentralized exchange), and Pi KYC (AI-assisted human identity verification).

Product overview

Pi Network is a cryptocurrency platform built around its native Pi coin, featuring a mobile mining app as the core consumer product that allows users to mine Pi without battery drain. The ecosystem includes the Pi Browser for Web3 app access, Pi Wallet for non-custodial token storage, and Pi Node for desktop blockchain participation. Developer-facing products include Pi App Studio (no-code app building), Pi Launchpad (token launch platform), and Pi DEX (decentralized exchange), alongside infrastructure services like Pi KYC (identity verification) and Pi KYC-as-a-Service (commercial offering). The ecosystem supports community features including Pi Chats, Fireside Forum, and Brainstorm for social engagement and developer collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pi Launchpad: Token launch platform for testing and launching ecosystem projects on Pi Network testnet
• Pi Browser
• Pi Wallet
• Pi App Studio
• Pi DEX
• CiDi Games
• FlexPi

Products and services

• Pi Mining App Free mobile application enabling users to mine Pi cryptocurrency on their phones without draining battery, requiring only an invitation from an existing trusted member; users confirm daily activity and form Security Circles to contribute to network trust.
• Pi Wallet Non-custodial Web3 cryptocurrency wallet for storing, sending, and receiving Pi tokens, with multi-signature wallet capability using ed25519 cryptographic signing standards for enhanced security.
• Pi Browser Web3 browser serving as the gateway to Pi's decentralized app ecosystem, enabling Pioneers to access Pi apps using their Pi account and transact with their Pi Wallet.
• Pi App Studio Developer platform enabling creators to build and publish no-code apps on the Pi ecosystem, with built-in payment solutions, identity verification, and integration with AI coding tools such as Claude Code and Replit.
• Pi Launchpad Token launch platform on Testnet that requires projects to demonstrate functional products before token launches, redirecting usage into liquidity pools rather than project wallets.
• Pi DEX Native decentralized exchange on Pi Network blockchain enabling market-based token purchases within the Pi ecosystem, combined with utility applications that allow users to earn tokens through real interactions.
• Pi Node Desktop application allowing Pioneers to run the Pi blockchain on their computers with three participation levels (Computer App, Node, and SuperNode), contributing to network security and decentralization.
• Pi KYC Identity verification system using decentralized human-AI collaboration to verify Pioneer identities, scalable solution combining machine automation with human validators.
• Pi KYC-as-a-Service Commercial KYC verification service targeting Web3 and traditional companies requiring verified human identity verification, positioning the network against competitors Worldcoin and Humanity Protocol.
• Pi Network ETP

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ million KYC validations completed by over 1 million human validators verifying 18 million unique identities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cloudflare (Consensus 2026 Panel)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Cloudflare Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Cohen participated on a Consensus 2026 panel with Pi Network founder Nicolas Kokkalis addressing how to prove human identity online without compromising privacy. The discussion reinforced that privacy and authenticity verification must be separated as long-term solutions in the AI era.
• CiDi GamescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2025Pi Network announced strategic partnership and investment in CiDi Games to develop Pi-integrated Web3 gaming platform. The collaboration aims to deploy Pi-powered games to tens of millions of users with testing scheduled for Q1 2026. CiDi Games beta launched May 14, 2026, attracting 81,000 users across 160+ countries generating 1.2 million game sessions in under one week. The gaming platform integrates Pi payments, transactions, and incentives with an open framework for other game developers.
• ValourcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 August 2025Valour, a European digital asset product manager, launched the first institutional Pi Network Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) on Spotlight Stock Market in Sweden, providing regulated access to Pi tokens for European investors. This marks Pi Network's first entry into traditional regulated financial markets.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Stellar Development Foundation: Stellar operates the Layer 1 blockchain whose Consensus Protocol (SCP) Pi Network adapted for its own chain. Both target cross-border payments, financial inclusion, and tokenized assets with low-cost infrastructure, though Stellar has more mature institutional partnerships.
• Worldcoin (Tools for Humanity): Worldcoin is the leading 'proof of personhood' network using iris biometrics for verified human identity—directly competitive with Pi's planned KYC-as-a-Service offering. Both target AI-era human verification at global scale with large user bases (Worldcoin 13M+, Pi 18M+ verified).
• Humanity Protocol: Humanity Protocol is an emerging palm-scan proof-of-personhood network positioning against both Worldcoin and Pi's KYC-as-a-Service. Both offer biometric verified identity for Web3 and AI applications, with Humanity Protocol's recent launch directly challenging Pi's planned commercial offering.

Broad incumbents

• Solana Foundation: Solana is a high-throughput Layer 1 blockchain with a comparable goal of consumer-facing crypto adoption, but achieved via traditional validator consensus rather than mobile mining. Both target developers of consumer Web3 apps and gaming, and both have growing DEX ecosystems.
• Hedera Hashgraph: Hedera is an enterprise-focused Layer 1 using hashgraph consensus (similar architectural philosophy to Pi's FBA approach). Both target energy-efficient consensus and enterprise/regulatory use cases, though Hedera has stronger institutional governance and enterprise partnerships.
• Polygon Labs: Polygon is a major Layer 1/2 ecosystem with comparable goals of mass-market Web3 adoption and developer tooling. Both target consumer app developers and gaming ecosystems, with comparable user bases in emerging markets.
• Cardano Foundation: Cardano is a Layer 1 blockchain with similar emphasis on peer-reviewed academic consensus and energy efficiency. Both target developers building regulated DeFi and identity applications, though Cardano has more mature third-party development.
• Avalanche (Ava Labs): Avalanche is a Layer 1 with comparable DEX and token-launch platform offerings. Both target gaming, DeFi, and enterprise tokenization use cases with developer-focused tooling.

Emerging players

• IOTA Foundation: IOTA pioneered feeless, mobile-friendly transaction infrastructure for IoT and emerging-market use cases—philosophically aligned with Pi's mission of inclusive crypto access. Both emphasize zero-fee transactions and target emerging-market users previously excluded from crypto.
• Civic Technologies: Civic is a decentralized identity verification platform comparable to Pi's planned KYC-as-a-Service. Both target enterprise customers needing verified human identity infrastructure, with Civic having earlier commercial deployment but smaller user base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PiCoreTeam
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/PiCoreTeam
• Facebookfacebook.com/PiCoreTeam
• Instagraminstagram.com/pi_network
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pi-net

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pi Network