The long-awaited moment for Pi Network developers and its global community is finally here. On February 20, the network will transition to its open mainnet, marking a significant milestone after years of testing and development. The event will allow pioneers—those who have mined Pi over the years—to trade their tokens, while developers will gain a broader audience for their applications. But the real question remains: What will happen to Pi’s price once the mainnet goes live?
Pi Network’s Mainnet Launch: A Major Leap Forward
Pi Network developers recently confirmed that they had met the three key conditions required for the open mainnet to launch. These include:
- Over 10.1 million pioneers migrating their tokens to the mainnet.
- No remaining external dependencies delaying the transition.
- At least 100 applications being mainnet-ready.
With these criteria met, the network is now ready to go fully live. The move marks a critical turning point, allowing pioneers to finally sell, trade, or hold their Pi tokens based on their long-term expectations.
This mainnet launch comes after more than six years of Pi Network’s development. Over this period, the network has built an impressive global community of users who have been mining the token on their mobile devices, hoping it will one day become a widely used digital currency.
What’s Driving the Pi Network Vision?
The core idea behind Pi Network mirrors some of the principles Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, envisioned. The developers believe Pi can serve as an efficient digital currency for both international and local transactions. Unlike Bitcoin, which requires high-powered mining rigs, Pi aims to be more accessible, allowing everyday users to participate in the network using their smartphones.
Pi Network’s ambition also extends to real-world commerce. The hope is that businesses, from small retailers to large corporations, will accept Pi as payment. If this vision materializes, Pi could emerge as a viable alternative to the U.S. dollar and other fiat currencies in digital transactions.
Pi Coin Price: Boom or Bust After Mainnet?
The big unknown in this launch is how Pi’s price will behave once the mainnet goes live. Unlike other cryptocurrencies that begin with open trading, Pi has largely been a closed ecosystem until now.
What’s the Likely Starting Price?
Speculation is rife that the developers might set Pi’s initial listing price at $3.14—a nod to the mathematical constant π (Pi). However, that figure is significantly lower than the current IOU (futures) price of $50 seen on some platforms. This discrepancy raises questions about whether early holders will offload their tokens en masse once trading begins.
Major Short-Term Risks
There are several reasons why Pi could face downward pressure in the short term:
- Mass Sell-Off: Many pioneers have been mining Pi for years without being able to trade it. The mainnet launch finally offers them an exit strategy. If too many rush to sell at once, the price could plummet quickly.
- Historical Precedent: Recent token launches suggest a cautionary tale. Highly anticipated projects such as Official Trump Token, Berachain, Hamster Kombat, Notcoin, and Wormhole saw their prices crash by over 90% within weeks of launch.
- Skepticism Around “To-Earn” Models: Many previous “to-earn” tokens, including Sweat Economy and StepN, experienced rapid post-launch declines. Pi Network could follow a similar pattern if demand doesn’t match the flood of supply.
Could Pi Coin Rebound?
Despite the risks, there are scenarios where Pi could regain strength after an initial dip. Some long-term believers may hold their tokens, expecting greater adoption. Additionally, if businesses and developers integrate Pi into their ecosystems, demand could rise over time.
There’s also speculation that Pi Network could one day see a spot ETF approval from the SEC—similar to how Bitcoin ETFs were eventually accepted. Such a development would bring institutional investors into the fold, potentially boosting demand and price stability.
For now, however, all eyes are on February 20, when the Pi Network’s mainnet officially opens. Will it live up to its massive expectations, or will it struggle under selling pressure? That remains to be seen.
