Pi Network Launch Date: Complete 2026 Mainnet Guide

Pi Network finally went live - but the confusion around its launch date persists. With over 19 million users completing KYC and a token that swung from $2.10 to $0.13 within months, understanding the pi network launch date timeline is essential for anyone evaluating this project in 2026.

Pi Network Mainnet Launch - The Complete Pi Mainnet Timeline

Pi Network did not launch in a single event. The project rolled out in distinct phases over six years, each expanding the network's functionality. Here is every milestone on the pi mainnet timeline, verified against official sources.

Why the Pi Network Launch Date Confused So Many People

The core issue is that Pi Network had four distinct "launch" moments. Newcomers who searched for the pi network launch date in 2024 found conflicting answers - some sources cited 2019, others 2021 or 2025.

The critical distinction is between the Enclosed Mainnet (December 2021) and the Open Network (February 2025). During the enclosed phase, PI existed on a real blockchain ledger but could not interact with external wallets or exchanges. It was a live network in isolation - functional but not tradeable.

The February 20, 2025 launch removed that barrier. For investors and traders, this is the date that matters - when PI became a real, transferable, exchange-listed cryptocurrency.

When Is Pi Launching - Hasn't It Already Launched?

Yes - the Pi Network is live. If you are still asking "when is pi launching," the short answer is that it launched on February 20, 2025. The Open Network has been operational for nearly a year.

However, the question persists for valid reasons. Several aspects of Pi Network are still in progress, which makes the project feel unfinished to many observers.

What Is Live Right Now (February 2026)

PI is a fully tradeable token. You can buy, sell, and transfer PI on exchanges like OKX, Bitget, MEXC, Gate.io, Bybit, and HTX. The blockchain processes real transactions, and node operators validate blocks using a variant of the Stellar Consensus Protocol.

The Pi Core Team also launched a Developer SDK in January 2026, enabling third-party applications to integrate Pi payments with sub-10-minute settlement times.

What Is Still in Progress

The network is undergoing a mandatory protocol upgrade from version 19 to version 23, aligning Pi's infrastructure with the latest Stellar Consensus improvements. The first upgrade step (v19.6) had a deadline of February 15, 2026, with a phased rollout through Q2 2026 targeting the full v23.0.

Validator rewards - a critical incentive for network security - are expected to deploy by March 31, 2026. Until then, node operators run infrastructure without direct on-chain compensation.

Pi Coin Release Date and Where PI Is Listed

The pi coin release date for public trading was February 20, 2025, coinciding with the Open Network launch. Unlike many token launches that involve a separate Token Generation Event (TGE), Pi's tokens were generated through years of mobile mining and then migrated to mainnet - so the "release" was actually the moment those tokens became externally transferable.

Current Exchange Listings (February 2026)

PI is listed on several major centralized exchanges. Here is the verified list:

When Will Pi Be Listed on Binance?

This remains the most-asked question in the Pi community. As of February 2026, neither Binance nor Coinbase has confirmed plans to list PI. Binance ran a community vote in early 2025 where PI received significant support, but the exchange has not acted on it.

Kraken is the most notable development: the exchange added PI to its 2026 listing roadmap and already offers PI perpetual futures contracts. A spot listing on Kraken would be the biggest exchange expansion for Pi Network since launch.

Pi Network Launch 2026 - Protocol Upgrades and Latest News

The pi network launch 2026 narrative is shifting from "when does it launch" to "what is the network building now." Here is the latest verified pi network latest news as the project enters its second year of open operation.

Mandatory Protocol Upgrade (v19 → v23)

The most significant technical development in early 2026 is the mandatory protocol upgrade. Pi Network is transitioning from Protocol 19 to Protocol 23, bringing its Stellar Consensus Protocol implementation in line with the latest upstream improvements.

The upgrade follows a phased schedule. Node operators had until February 15, 2026 to complete the first step (updating to v19.6), with subsequent phases rolling out through Q2 2026 targeting full Protocol 23 compatibility.

This upgrade matters because it improves network throughput, enhances security, and enables new smart contract capabilities that the Pi Core Team plans to use for DeFi features later in 2026.

Validator Rewards and Supernode Program

Currently, Pi node operators validate transactions without direct on-chain compensation. That changes with the validator rewards deployment, targeted for March 31, 2026. This will introduce economic incentives similar to staking rewards on other proof-of-stake networks.

The Supernode program is also expanding in Q1 2026, giving high-uptime operators enhanced privileges and larger reward allocations. For context on how validator economics work across crypto networks, see our guide on mining rewards.

Developer SDK and Ecosystem Growth

Pi Network launched its Developer SDK in January 2026, allowing third-party developers to build applications that accept PI payments. The SDK supports sub-10-minute payment settlement, which is a step toward making PI useful for everyday transactions rather than purely speculative trading.

The broader 2026 roadmap includes PiDAO governance and Pi DeFi initiatives, though specific timelines for these features have not been confirmed.

Regulatory Progress: MiCA Compliance

In late 2025, the Pi Core Team filed a MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) whitepaper with EU regulators. MiCA compliance could open Pi Network to regulated trading venues across Europe - a significant step toward mainstream legitimacy that most community-driven crypto projects have not pursued.

Pi Open Mainnet - How It Works

Understanding the pi open mainnet is crucial for evaluating Pi Network's technical fundamentals. Unlike Bitcoin's energy-intensive proof-of-work mining, Pi uses a mobile-friendly consensus mechanism.

Consensus Mechanism: Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP)

Pi Network uses a modified version of the Stellar Consensus Protocol, a federated Byzantine agreement system. Instead of competing to solve cryptographic puzzles, nodes reach consensus through overlapping trust circles called "quorum slices."

In practice, this means Pi transactions finalize in seconds rather than minutes, and the network consumes minimal energy compared to proof-of-work chains.

Pi Network Migration: From Mobile Mining to Mainnet Tokens

The pi network migration process converts mobile-mined PI into real mainnet tokens. Here is how it works:

1. KYC Verification - Users verify their identity through Pi's in-app KYC process. As of early 2026, over 19 million users have completed this step.
2. Migration Checklist - Once KYC is approved, users complete a migration checklist that creates a mainnet wallet and confirms their token allocation.
3. Token Transfer - Mined PI moves from a "pending" state to the user's mainnet wallet. These tokens are then fully transferable and tradeable.

Over 16 million users have completed migration - exceeding the Pi Core Team's original target of 10 million. An additional 2.5 million pioneers became eligible for migration in January 2026.

Pi Network Price - From Launch Day to February 2026

The pi coin value at launch was one of the most anticipated data points in crypto. After years of $0 trading value during the enclosed phase, PI finally got a market price on February 20, 2025.

Launch Day Price Action

PI opened at $1.47 on major exchanges and surged to a peak of $2.10 within hours. However, sell pressure from millions of newly unlocked tokens pushed the price down to approximately $1.01 by end of day.

The all-time high of $2.99 was reached shortly after launch as exchange listings rolled out in waves - each new listing brought a temporary price spike.

Current Market Data (February 2026)

The all-time low of $0.1312 was recorded on February 11, 2026, making the recent bounce to $0.187 a roughly 40% recovery from the bottom. Twenty-four-hour trading volume sits near $31.5 million - moderate for a top-50 token.

Why Has PI Dropped So Much From Its ATH?

The decline from $2.99 to sub-$0.20 reflects a classic post-launch dynamic: massive circulating supply meets limited organic demand. With 9 billion PI circulating out of a 100 billion max supply, and more tokens continually unlocking from migration, selling pressure has consistently outpaced buying.

This is comparable to what happened with Bitcoin in its early exchange-traded years - initial hype pricing gives way to longer-term value discovery based on actual utility and adoption.

Pi Network Price Prediction 2026-2030

Price forecasts for PI vary enormously across analysts, reflecting the project's high uncertainty.

For near-term 2026, CoinDCX projects a range of $0.24-$0.56 while Coinpedia's wider estimate spans $0.85-$3.50. The extreme spread between these predictions highlights how divided the market is on Pi's long-term value proposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official Pi Network launch date?

The Pi Network Open Mainnet launched on February 20, 2025, at 8:00 AM UTC. This was the moment PI became externally transferable and tradeable on exchanges. Earlier milestones include the beta app launch (March 2019) and the Enclosed Mainnet (December 2021), but the Open Network is the definitive launch date for trading purposes.

Is Pi Network launched or still in development?

Pi Network is launched and operational. The Open Mainnet has been running since February 2025, and PI trades on exchanges including OKX, Bitget, MEXC, and others. However, the network is still developing - with protocol upgrades, validator rewards, and DeFi features planned through 2026.

What was the Pi coin value at launch?

PI opened at approximately $1.47 on February 20, 2025, peaked at $2.10 the same day, and closed around $1.01. The all-time high of $2.99 was reached shortly after as exchange listings expanded. As of February 2026, PI trades near $0.187.

When will Pi be listed on Binance?

There is no confirmed date for a Binance listing. Binance ran a community vote in early 2025 showing strong demand, but has not announced listing plans. Kraken has added PI to its 2026 roadmap, which is the most significant pending exchange expansion.

How many Pi users have migrated to mainnet?

Over 16 million users have migrated their tokens to the mainnet, and more than 19 million have completed KYC verification. An additional 2.5 million pioneers became eligible for migration in January 2026.

Is Pi Network a good investment in 2026?

PI carries significant risk factors including massive token dilution (only 9% of max supply is circulating), limited real-world utility, and a 93% decline from its all-time high. Potential catalysts include new exchange listings, protocol upgrades, and ecosystem growth. As with all cryptocurrency investments, only invest what you can afford to lose.

What is the Pi Network protocol upgrade about?

The mandatory upgrade transitions Pi from Protocol 19 to Protocol 23, aligning with the latest Stellar Consensus Protocol improvements. It enhances network throughput, security, and smart contract capabilities. Node operators must update in phases through Q2 2026.

Conclusion - Pi Network Launch Date in Perspective

The pi network launch date - February 20, 2025 - marked the end of a six-year journey from mobile app to tradeable cryptocurrency. One year later, PI is a live, exchange-listed token with nearly $1.7 billion in market capitalization and a growing infrastructure of protocol upgrades, developer tools, and regulatory filings.

The honest assessment in 2026: Pi Network has delivered on its promise to launch, but has not yet delivered on its promise of widespread utility. The token's 93% decline from ATH reflects a market still waiting for proof that a 100-billion-supply token mined through a mobile app can sustain long-term value.

For investors, the coming months are pivotal. The v23 protocol upgrade, validator rewards, potential Kraken spot listing, and first anniversary could catalyze momentum - or the continued token unlocks and limited utility could push prices lower. Track developments carefully and make decisions based on verified data, not community hype.