The Pi Network mainnet launch date is February 20, 2025. That is when the Pi Core Team opened the network to external connectivity, ending the enclosed mainnet phase. Pi holders who completed in-app KYC can now transfer coins to external wallets and exchanges. As of July 2025, full exchange listings and price discovery are still developing.
Key Takeaways Before You Read
- Open mainnet launched February 20, 2025, per the Pi Core Team announcement on minepi.com.
- Pi moved through four phases: Design, Testnet, Enclosed Mainnet, and Open Mainnet (Phase 4).
- Indian users cannot yet trade Pi on major regulated exchanges like WazirX, CoinDCX, or ZebPay as of July 2025.
- Any Pi traded on unofficial platforms before a verified listing carries significant fraud and liquidity risk.
- If Pi becomes a listed VDA (Virtual Digital Asset) in India, gains will attract a 30% flat tax and 1% TDS under Indian crypto tax law.
Pi Network Mainnet Timeline So Far
Pi Network started as a mobile mining app in March 2019, built by the Pi Core Team led by Stanford PhDs Nicolas Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan. The idea was simple: let ordinary people mine crypto on their phones without draining battery or data. Over five years, it grew to claim over 60 million engaged Pioneers (Pi’s term for users), according to the Pi Core Team on minepi.com, though independent verification of active wallet counts remains limited.
The project always framed its launch in phases. Phase 1 was design and app launch. Phase 2 was testnet. Phase 3, the enclosed mainnet, went live in December 2021 and let users migrate Pi to real wallets, but no external transfers were allowed. It was a real blockchain with no exits.
What Changed at Each Phase
| Phase | Name | Date | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design & App Launch | March 2019 | Mobile mining app goes live |
| 2 | Testnet | March 2020 | Blockchain tested internally |
| 3 | Enclosed Mainnet | December 2021 | Real wallets, no external transfers |
| 4 | Open Mainnet | February 20, 2025 | External connectivity enabled, exchange listings begin |
The pi network mainnet launch date of February 20, 2025 ended a three-year enclosed phase that frustrated much of the community. The Pi Core Team cited KYC completion rates and ecosystem app development as the benchmarks that had to be met before opening the network.
What Open Mainnet Changed for Pi Holders
Before February 2025, your Pi balance sat in a wallet you controlled but could not move anywhere outside the Pi app. The open mainnet changed that. Pioneers who completed KYC on minepi.com can now transfer Pi to external wallets and to any exchange that lists the coin.
Within weeks of the pi network mainnet launch date, Pi started trading on several centralised exchanges. OKX, Bitget, and Huobi were among the first major platforms to list PI/USDT pairs. According to CoinGecko, Pi traded between roughly $0.60 and $2.98 in the weeks following the open mainnet before settling into a lower range. According to CoinMarketCap data from Q1 2025, Pi reached a peak 24-hour trading volume exceeding $500 million in the days immediately after the open mainnet launch, reflecting the scale of pent-up demand from its user base.
KYC Was the Gateway
Not every Pi holder could access the open mainnet immediately. Users had to complete identity verification through the Pi app’s built-in KYC process. This is separate from the exchange KYC you would do on an Indian platform. If you mined Pi but never completed in-app KYC, your coins stayed locked.
KYC for crypto in India is a familiar topic. If you are new to it, our guide on how to complete crypto KYC in India walks you through the process on regulated platforms.
What About Indian Exchanges?
As of July 2025, Pi is not listed on WazirX, CoinDCX, ZebPay, or Mudrex. Indian exchanges operate under SEBI’s evolving framework and tend to be cautious about listing assets without clear regulatory clarity. Crypto is legal in India, but the rules are still being shaped. You can read more about the current legal status in our article on whether crypto is legal in India in 2026.
If Pi does get listed on an Indian exchange, any profit you make will be taxed at a flat 30% under Section 115BBH of the Income Tax Act, with no deduction for losses from other crypto assets. A 1% TDS will also apply on every sell transaction above the threshold. Our full breakdown of how much tax applies on crypto in India covers this in detail.
Protocol Upgrades and What Comes Next for Pi Network
The Pi Core Team has not framed the open mainnet as the finish line. The pi network mainnet protocol upgrade roadmap includes improvements to transaction throughput, smart contract capabilities, and the Pi SDK for developers building apps inside the Pi ecosystem.
Pi runs on its own blockchain using a Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP)-based mechanism, which is different from proof-of-work or proof-of-stake. The team has signalled plans for a developer grants programme and ecosystem expansion, though specific dates for these milestones have not been publicly committed to as of July 2025.
Pi Network Phase 4 Release Date: Already Here
A lot of searches ask about the pi network phase 4 release date. Phase 4 is the open mainnet, and it is already live as of February 20, 2025. There is no separate Phase 5 announced officially. What follows is not a new phase but ongoing development within the open mainnet period.
Will Pi List on More Exchanges?
Exchange listings depend on trading volume, liquidity, regulatory compliance, and the project’s ability to meet listing requirements. Binance, the world’s largest exchange by volume, had not listed Pi as of July 2025. A Binance listing would significantly change Pi’s price discovery and liquidity. Our tracker of upcoming Binance listings is updated regularly if you want to monitor that.
What the Pi Mainnet Launch Means for Indian Users
India has one of the largest Pi Network communities globally, with millions of users who downloaded the app and mined Pi over the past five years. The pi network mainnet launch date gives those users a real path to potentially realising value, but the path has real obstacles.
First, you need to have completed KYC inside the Pi app. Second, you need access to an exchange that lists Pi and supports INR deposits or a USDT pair you can convert. Third, you need to understand the tax implications before you sell anything.
Pi has not yet proven the utility or adoption that would justify a sustained high valuation. The project’s long enclosed phase and the Pi Core Team’s control over coin migration have drawn criticism from analysts who describe its tokenomics as opaque. That does not mean it is worthless, but it does mean you should treat any Pi you hold as speculative, not as a confirmed windfall.
Practical Next Steps for Indian Pi Holders
- Open the Pi app and check your KYC status. Incomplete KYC means your Pi is still locked.
- Do not trade Pi on unofficial peer-to-peer platforms. Fraud risk is high on unregulated channels.
- Monitor whether a SEBI-compliant Indian exchange lists Pi before moving funds.
- Keep records of your Pi holdings and any transactions for tax purposes, even if you have not sold yet.
- Do not put money you cannot afford to lose into Pi or any other speculative asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pi Network fully launch?
Pi Network’s open mainnet launched on February 20, 2025, which is considered its full public launch. The pi network mainnet launch date is therefore already in the past. The Pi Core Team continues to develop protocol upgrades and ecosystem features, but there is no additional full launch event pending as of July 2025.
What is the Pi open mainnet launch date?
The pi network open mainnet launch date is February 20, 2025. This was announced by the Pi Core Team on minepi.com and marked the transition from the enclosed mainnet (Phase 3) to the open mainnet (Phase 4), enabling external wallet transfers and exchange listings for the first time.
Has Pi Network Phase 4 been released?
Yes. Phase 4, which is the open mainnet, was released on February 20, 2025. The pi network phase 4 release date is confirmed. Pi holders who completed KYC can now transfer coins externally. No further numbered phase has been announced by the Pi Core Team as of July 2025.
What happens after the Pi mainnet launch?
After the mainnet launch, the focus shifts to exchange listings, ecosystem app growth, and protocol upgrades. For Indian users, the key question is whether a regulated domestic exchange lists Pi and what the tax treatment will be. Any profits from selling Pi will attract India’s 30% VDA tax and 1% TDS once it is a listed asset.
Can Indian users buy or sell Pi on Indian exchanges?
As of July 2025, Pi is not listed on major Indian exchanges including WazirX, CoinDCX, ZebPay, or Mudrex. Indian users who want exposure to Pi currently have to use international exchanges, which carries additional risk and compliance considerations under India’s evolving crypto regulations.
This is not financial advice. Data as of July 2025. Crypto investments carry significant risk, including total loss of capital. Always do your own research before investing.
Last updated: July 2025. Reviewed by the CryptoWire editorial team.
