Pioneers, Pi Network will officially transition to the Open Network era of Mainnet on February 20, 2025 at 08:00 UTC!
As a result of the hard work and dedication of the entire Pi community over the last six years, the Pi community is taking the next monumental step toward achieving its vision of the world’s most inclusive peer-to-peer ecosystem and online experience, powered by Pi, the Pi Network’s native token.
Thanks to the upgrades announced in the last timeline update, we have now reached 10.14 million Mainnet migrations, exceeding the original 10 million goal, and Pi is now ready to open its utility-focused ecosystem where our 19 million+ authenticated Pioneers can use Pi, a cryptocurrency with real-world functionality and applications.
Stay tuned for more information about Open Network on launch day! For now, let's take a look at Pi's journey, what to expect at the Open Network launch, updates on Open Network conditions, and how you can prepare in the meantime!
Our Journey Here
Pi Network’s six-plus year journey towards an Open Network has been built on milestones and deliberate milestones driven by Pioneers, the ecosystem, and the community. The current Mainnet Phase 3 began in December 2021 with the launch of the Closed Network era, meaning the Mainnet was live but with a firewall blocking any external connections. This period set the stage for the Open Network, allowing time to:
Pioneers who completed KYC and obtained Pi on Mainnet;
Developers to create real applications and utilities for the Pi ecosystem; and
Core Team to release and develop various Pi features and utilities.
In early March 2022, a new mining rewards distribution formula was also released on the Closed Network. This formula follows a decaying exponential model that balances the network’s need for growth, accessibility, longevity, and scarcity, while rightsizing the rewards that Pioneers receive for their contributions to the network.
The Grace Period went into effect on July 1, 2024 to strike a balance between providing Pioneers with enough time to pass KYC and qualify to acquire Pi on the Mainnet, while creating enough incentive and urgency for people to pass KYC and migrate to the Open Network. By preventing unverified Pi from acquiring Pi on the Mainnet beyond the 6-month KYC period, this strategy helps free up Pi for mining by other Pioneers.
Meanwhile, Pioneers who acquired Pi on the Mainnet were able to exchange Pi with other Pioneers within the network. For example, the week-long event PiFest 2024 facilitated the exchange of Pi for goods and services between local Pi merchants and Pi shoppers, drawing over 27,000 active merchants and 28,000 test merchants across 160 countries and attracting over 950,000 Pioneers in just a few days. PiFest showcased Pi’s complete ecosystem for local commerce integration, connecting store discovery via the Pi Map, payments via the Pi Wallet, transactions on the Pi Mainnet blockchain, and social sharing on the Fireside Forum—all of which worked seamlessly across the different existing Pi apps.
What to Expect at the Open Network Launch?
The launch of Open Network brings a significant new change to the layer 1 Pi blockchain: external connectivity. It creates an environment where Pi can securely connect with external systems, expanding opportunities for pioneers and enterprises.
Connecting Pi to the Outside World
The move to Open Network will enable external connectivity on the Mainnet blockchain, allowing Pi to interface with other compatible networks and systems. This means Pioneers will be able to engage in transactions beyond the Pi ecosystem, expanding the utility and reach of Pi.
Once the Open Network is launched with the firewall removed, anyone can technically add nodes to the Mainnet blockchain in terms of running the protocol and connecting to the network. The Core Team will invite Pioneers to migrate their nodes from Testnet to Mainnet via the desktop node UI, and will prioritize those with strong historical contributions and trustworthiness scores. Node ranking data will be made public as soon as possible.
Business Compliance Requirements for Network Participation
To maintain a secure and compliant ecosystem, participation in Mainnet blockchain activities will require KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for Pioneers and KYB (Know Your Business) verification for businesses. Overall, Pi aims to be a secure Web3 space where Pioneers can have external connections with Pi held; businesses and partners with KYB interface with real KYC Pioneers and vice versa.
Businesses can apply for KYB verification via the webpage here (coming soon). Once the Open Network launches, Pioneers will be able to see a list of KYB verified businesses on the Pi website.
Update on Open Network Conditions
The Open Network date was selected according to the set Open Network Terms and Conditions and shared with the entire community in December 2023. Pi Network’s progress towards completing the Open Network terms has continued and accelerated with community efforts since the December 2024 timeline update. The network has now reached all the required conditions for the Open Network, so it’s time for the Open Network!
Let's examine the conditions in detail below.
Condition 1: All technical, product, commercial and legal studies required to reach the Open Network have been completed.
Condition 2:
19 million Pioneers have verified their identities through the Pi KYC solution to be fully and provisionally KYC’d as originally defined in the requirement. This exceeds the original requirement of 15 million in the requirement.
10.14 million Pioneers moved to Mainnet, exceeding the initial target of 10 million.
We have reached over 100 Mainnet or Mainnet-ready applications that meet the 100 application goal to deliver the live, interactive, and diverse utility required for Pi Network to be successful on the Open Network at launch.
Condition 3: There will be no delays in the launch of the Open Network due to external factors or unfavorable environment.
Pioneers must continue KYC before or after the Open Network launch and migrate to Mainnet if they have not already done so, and interact with Pi applications in the Pi Browser to support ecosystem development and long-term benefit. Likewise, community developers are encouraged to develop, improve, and launch applications that meet the Pi Network’s standards and contribute to the community and its benefit.
What Pioneers and Developers Should Do in the Open Network Era
As new challenges emerge in the Open Network phase, contributions from pioneers and community developers are critical to the strength and resilience of the network.
Here's how pioneers can actively participate:
Mining and contributions: Continue mining with a decreasing exponential issuance model and rate adjustments compatible with monthly limits.
Create utility: Engage with Pi Apps, support Pi Network and Pi by using the platform and Pi, and help expand the utility of the ecosystem. Developers are encouraged to improve existing solutions and create new solutions that meet real needs of the Pi community and beyond.
Local commerce integration: Store owners are incentivized to continue accepting Pi, allowing Pioneers to participate in peer-to-peer transactions for goods and services, ensuring Pi provides ongoing utility in Pioneers’ daily lives.
KYC and migration: The network must continue the KYC and migration process after the Open Network launch. If you have not done so yet, please do so as soon as possible during the Open Network period
