When Pi Coin Launch: A Game-Changer in Crypto?

Pi Coin Launch (Pi Network Open Mainnet Launch)

When pi coin launch became a global question, millions of Pi Network pioneers awaited clarity about transfers, exchange listings and the project’s transition from an enclosed environment to an Open Network. This article explains the who, what, when and how: documenting that Pi’s principal public Open Network launch occurred on February 20, 2025 at 08:00 UTC, summarizing technical and market effects, and offering practical guidance for users — including how to use Bitget and Bitget Wallet for market access and custody.

As of December 23, 2025, according to Pi Network official announcements and contemporaneous media coverage, the Open Network transition on February 20, 2025 opened PI to external connectivity and enabled on-chain transfers beyond the Pi ecosystem.

Background and Project Overview

Pi Network launched in 2019 as a mobile-first experiment in broad user participation. Founded by Stanford PhDs Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis and Dr. Chengdiao Fan, the project used a social-mining model to lower barriers: users could earn PI through a daily confirmation action on smartphones rather than energy-intensive proof-of-work mining.

The project aimed for broad inclusion, prioritizing ease-of-use, low friction mobile access, and a decentralized peer-to-peer environment that could support payments and dApps over time. Architecturally, Pi built its consensus with inspiration from the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) model — a federated Byzantine agreement approach — adapted to the project’s mobile and social-graph assumptions.

Pi accumulated a very large registered user base during the enclosed-mainnet phase, with widely reported figures of tens of millions of “Pioneers.” Those community scale advantages framed much of the discussion around the network’s eventual transition and listings.

Definitions — What “Launch” Means for Pi

Precise language matters. When people ask "when pi coin launch," they often conflate different technical phases. Below are definitions used in this article:

• Beta/Testnet: Early development networks where functionality and consensus are tested without economic transfers. Pi’s initial years involved app-driven beta/testnet stages.
• Enclosed Mainnet (or enclosed network): A live ledger that is intentionally firewalled from external networks and exchange withdrawals. Pi ran an enclosed mainnet period where balances and activity existed within the Pi ecosystem but could not be exported externally.
• Open Network (Open Mainnet launch): The stage when a network removes external firewalls and enables cross-network connectivity, on-chain transfers to external wallets and exchanges, and unrestricted peer-to-peer transfers. For Pi, the Open Network launch is the transition that allowed PI to be moved off the Pi platform and traded on broader markets.

In short: the term "launch" for Pi most commonly refers to the Open Network activation that removed external restrictions and enabled PI transfers, withdrawals, and exchange access. If you’re asking "when pi coin launch," the key date is Feb 20, 2025 (08:00 UTC) for the Open Network activation.

Timeline of Key Milestones

• 2019 — Mobile app and beta launch: Pi introduced its mobile app and social-mining model to onboard pioneers.
• 2021 — Testnet and enclosed mainnet phase: Pi operated in an enclosed mainnet environment. The ledger existed but external transfers were blocked by design.
• 2022–2024 — KYC development and incremental migrations: The team rolled out identity verification and preparation measures for a broader mainnet migration.
• Late 2024–Early 2025 — Open Network announcement and migration windows: Pi provided community guidance about conditions for transition and criteria for migration.
• February 20, 2025 — Open Network launch / public Open Mainnet activation at 08:00 UTC. This is the principal public launch that enabled external connectivity, token transfers off-platform and exchange listings.

This timeline contextualizes the frequently-asked question "when pi coin launch" by separating enclosed-ledger activity from the externally-connected Open Network event.

Official Announcement and Pre-Launch Conditions

In the weeks leading up to the Open Network go-live, the Pi core team issued public announcements explaining migration mechanics, KYC thresholds, and transition windows. Community posts and official blog notices emphasized a number of prerequisites that pioneers would need to satisfy to move PI out of the Pi ecosystem:

• KYC/identity verification thresholds for pioneers who wanted withdrawals and external transfers.
• Node migration guidance for desktop/node operators wishing to participate in a decentralized node set after Open Network activation.
• Warnings against third-party intermediaries and unofficial listing offers; instructions to rely on official channels for steps.

The team also provided timelines and fallbacks designed to reduce disruption: grace periods, staged enablement of withdrawals, and recommended tooling such as official wallets. Ahead of the Open Network launch, the project encouraged everyone to complete KYC where required and to keep devices and accounts secure.

Launch Day (February 20, 2025)

On launch day — February 20, 2025 at 08:00 UTC — Pi transitioned its ledger to Open Network mode. The immediate observable effects included:

• External Transfers Enabled: The network removed the enclosure firewall that had previously blocked transfers off the Pi ecosystem, enabling on-chain transfers to external wallets and exchanges.
• Exchange Listing Activity: Several exchanges moved to list PI or announce listing plans in response to the Open Network. These listings varied in timing and market pairs.
• Wallet and Traffic Surge: Wallet, node and exchange traffic spiked as users attempted migrations, withdrawals and transfers. Some users reported operational delays, congested UX flows and temporary access problems during peak periods.
• Market Reaction: Secondary markets and exchange order books displayed high volatility and rapid price discovery as liquidity formed across platforms.

Multiple community threads reported login or withdrawal friction for users who had not completed KYC or who encountered wallet configuration challenges. The project and some major trading platforms advised users to confirm wallet addresses, migration status and KYC eligibility before initiating transfers.

Exchange Listings and Market Access

The Open Network made PI eligible for listings on centralized and decentralized venues. Media reported a number of exchanges confirming or beginning PI listings in the wake of launch. Listing cadence varied by platform: some exchanges opened deposits and trading quickly, while others staged listings after compliance checks and liquidity arrangements.

Bitget confirmed support and offered trading and custody options for PI early in the listing wave; for users seeking a compliant and feature-rich environment, Bitget provided market access, orderbook liquidity, and custody via Bitget Wallet integration. Listing schedules across platforms varied, so users were advised to check official exchange notices and only deposit to verified exchange wallets.

Price Action and Volatility at Launch

Market behavior around the launch exhibited the common hallmarks of new-token discovery:

• Rapid price spikes and deep retracements as buyers and sellers interacted on thin early order books.
• Wide bid-ask spreads and significant intraday volatility.
• Price divergence across exchanges and secondary markets due to asynchronous listings and differing liquidity.

Observers stressed that early prices on secondary platforms represented initial discovery rather than a settled market valuation. High volatility and speculative momentum were expected in the immediate aftermath.

Token Migration, Circulation, and KYC

A central operational element of the launch was migration and identity verification:

• Migration Process: Pioneers who met migration requirements could move their PI to mainnet addresses and external wallets. The on-chain migration recorded which accounts had completed transfers off the Pi ecosystem.
• KYC Role: Identity verification was a gating requirement for many users to access withdrawals and exchange deposits. Projects and exchanges required KYC to comply with AML/identity rules prior to enabling fiat or fully unrestricted withdrawals.
• Circulating Supply: At launch, circulating supply considerations depended on how many pioneers migrated balances and how many tokens were made available for exchange trading. Because millions of users held PI inside the ecosystem, the potential for a large circulating supply was a key topic of market discussion.

Reported migration and KYC counts varied by source; the customer experience indicated that completing KYC ahead of the launch was the most reliable way to secure immediate withdrawal capability. Users without verified accounts were often placed in staging queues until their identity checks were cleared.

Technical Details and Network Operation

Pi’s technical approach draws on SCP-inspired logic, adapted to the project’s distributed mobile-first architecture. Important technical themes at launch included:

• Protocol Versions: The launched Open Network referenced consensus and protocol components compatible with federated agreement models inspired by Stellar’s SCP, with project-specific modifications for node selection and trust graphs.
• Node Participation: Desktop and server nodes that completed onboarding and compliance steps were invited to participate in mainnet validation. Node ranking, selection and reputation systems governed which nodes produced blocks and validated transactions.
• Open Connectivity: The Open Network allowed external peers to connect, enabling standard wallet-to-wallet transfers, exchange deposits and programmatic access for developers.

Developers and node operators were provided with documentation and APIs for running nodes, querying the ledger, and integrating wallets. The project emphasized decentralization goals but noted that distribution of nodes and the pace of community-run validators would evolve over time.

Ecosystem, Utilities, and Developer Activity

With the Open Network active, a set of immediate and planned ecosystem items became possible:

• dApp Development: Developers could deploy decentralized apps that accept PI for payments, access identity primitives, or leverage Pi-native smart contracts where supported.
• Merchant and Payment Integrations: Businesses could begin piloting PI as a payment option, using wallets and merchant tooling to accept transfers.
• Financial Primitives: The roadmap discussed future on-chain tools such as DEX/AMM components, token minting frameworks and liquidity tooling to support a healthy market.
• Developer Incentives and Hackathons: The project announced developer incentives, hackathons and funding windows to accelerate tooling, wallets and merchant integrations in the post-launch phase.

These items were framed as necessary steps to transform PI from an earned balance into a token with measurable utility.

Market Impact and Adoption

Short-term market effects included a spike in liquidity as early market makers and institutional participants provisioned order books. Prior to Open Network, secondary markets and IOU systems reflected speculative pricing; the Open Network created a pathway for on-chain supply to meet formal orderbook liquidity.

Longer-term adoption depends on execution: merchant acceptance, dApp usage, robust developer tooling and regulatory clarity. Factors likely to influence adoption include real-world utility offerings (payments, gaming, remittances), liquidity management, and credible compliance programs.

Controversies, Criticisms, and Risks

Several criticisms and risks surfaced around the launch:

• IOU/Secondary Market Pricing: Prices traded in secondary environments prior to widely-available exchange listings may not reflect a sustainable market valuation.
• Centralization vs Decentralization: Critics questioned the node distribution and whether initial node sets or governance structures concentrated control.
• Operational Delays and UX Friction: Some pioneers experienced KYC queues, wallet setup issues, and temporary congestion on launch day.
• Data Privacy and KYC Concerns: The identity verification process generated privacy questions for users mindful of data collection.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: The project operated in a shifting regulatory environment; how jurisdictions would treat PI tokens, KYC regimes and exchange listings remained a watch item.

These concerns underscored why users were advised to proceed cautiously, verify official guidance, and prefer trusted market infrastructure for custody and trading.

Security, Governance and Compliance

Key governance and compliance themes at launch included:

• KYC/AML Requirements: Exchange listings and fiat on-ramps generally required KYC/AML compliance, affecting which users could immediately withdraw or deposit PI.
• Node Governance: Decentralization and the distribution of validator nodes affected network security. A more diverse and geographically distributed node set strengthens resistance to coordinated attacks.
• Regulatory Angles: Local securities and commodities frameworks, AML obligations and tax reporting considerations were important for exchanges and institutional participants to resolve before full-featured market support.

Project messaging emphasized compliance and developer transparency while noting that governance structures would mature as more nodes, stakeholders and participants joined the network.

Aftermath, Ongoing Developments and Roadmap

After the Open Network launch, immediate developments included additional exchange listings, developer tool releases, and ecosystem announcements. The project’s stated next steps commonly included:

• Protocol upgrades to enhance scalability, smart contract support and security.
• DApp and payments rollout to demonstrate utility and merchant use cases.
• Continued developer funding, hackathons and grant programs to jumpstart ecosystem growth.

Observers concluded that the launch was a critical inflection point: execution in the months after activation would determine whether PI’s large user base translated into real-world usage or primarily speculative liquidity.

Practical Guidance for Users

If you’re asking when pi coin launch to know whether you can trade or withdraw, follow these practical steps:

1. Verify Migration Status: Confirm in the Pi app or official account dashboard whether your PI has been migrated to mainnet and is eligible for external transfers.
2. Complete KYC Early: Exchanges and withdrawal systems relied on identity verification to enable withdrawals. Finish KYC ahead of transferring to avoid delays.
3. Use Verified Channels Only: Rely on official project announcements and verified exchange notices — do not trust unsolicited messages or offers.
4. Prefer Bitget and Bitget Wallet for Access: For trading and custody, Bitget provided early listing and custody options; Bitget Wallet offered integrated custody and transfer flows for PI. Using Bitget’s verified deposit addresses and Bitget Wallet reduces error risk.
5. Double-Check Addresses: Always confirm wallet addresses, avoid copy-paste mistakes, and consider sending a small test amount before large transfers.
6. Beware of Scams: Fresh listings and high-profile launches create phishing and impersonation risks. Only act through verified app channels.

These practical steps match the recommendations issued around launch and reflect the operational conditions of early mainnet activity.

Reception and Analyst Commentary

Media and analyst perspectives were mixed. Many commentators highlighted the project’s enormous user base as a potential advantage for rapid adoption and network effects. Skeptics emphasized questions regarding monetization, long-term utility, token supply dynamics and regulatory exposure.

Neutral analysts recommended watching three measurable signals to evaluate progress: on-chain transaction counts and active wallets, merchant and dApp adoption metrics, and sustained exchange liquidity and depth.

References and Further Reading

This article is based on Pi Network’s official communications and contemporaneous media coverage. For verification and updates, consult official Pi Network announcements, exchange notices, and technical documentation. As of December 23, 2025, reputable reporting captured the network transition and market activity; readers should confirm live details on official channels.

Appendix A: Detailed Chronology (Date-by-Date)

• 2019 — App beta launch and social-mining onboarding begins.
• 2021 — Enclosed mainnet / extended testnet operations.
• 2022–2024 — Progressive KYC rollouts, node tooling and developer docs released.
• Early 2025 — Official Open Network announcement and migration windows clarified.
• Feb 20, 2025, 08:00 UTC — Open Network activation; external transfers enabled and exchange listings accelerated.
• Feb–Mar 2025 — High volatility and exchange orderbook formation; continued node onboarding and dApp dev announcements.

Appendix B: Glossary

• Open Network: The mainnet state where external connectivity, transfers and exchange interactions are permitted.
• Enclosed Mainnet: A live ledger isolated from external networks to prevent withdrawals and external transfers.
• Migration: The act of moving balances from the enclosed ecosystem to mainnet addresses.
• KYC: Know Your Customer; identity verification required by many platforms for compliance.
• SCP: Stellar Consensus Protocol — a federated Byzantine agreement model that inspired Pi’s consensus approach.
• Node: A server or desktop instance that participates in network validation.
• Pioneer: A Pi Network user who participated in mining or onboarding during earlier phases.

Appendix C: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When was Pi’s Open Network launched? A: The Open Network activation occurred on February 20, 2025 at 08:00 UTC.

Q: Can I trade PI now? A: After Open Network activation, PI became eligible for exchange listings. Availability depends on individual exchanges’ deposit/trading schedules and compliance checks.

Q: What is required to withdraw PI? A: Withdrawals generally required that your PI be migrated and that you completed KYC where the receiving exchange or service mandates identity verification.

Q: What happened on launch day? A: The network opened to external transfers at 08:00 UTC on Feb 20, 2025. This enabled withdrawals and exchange listings, produced high traffic, and caused notable volatility in early markets.

Practical next step: If you hold PI and are preparing to trade or custody it, verify your migration and KYC status now, and consider using Bitget and Bitget Wallet to manage deposits and trading. Always confirm official announcements before acting.

Searching for "when pi coin launch"? This article documents that the crucial external mainnet launch date was Feb 20, 2025 and walks you through what that meant technically, operationally and for markets — with clear user guidance for secure participation.

Explore more Bitget features to manage tokens and access new listings safely, and keep an eye on official Pi Network channels for protocol and ecosystem updates.