'Please be careful': Pi Coin maker Pi Network issues warning ahead of Open Network launch on February 20

Ahead of the launch of its "Open Network" on February 20, 2025, crypto mining company Pi Network has issued an essential advisory for users as the launch date gets closer.

The company says it is important for pioneers (users) to safeguard their Pi account and watch out for potential bad actors and activities, scams, and individuals impersonating others. "Please be careful of unaffiliated and unauthorised activities, some of which may be associated with fraudulent events and actions meant to defraud our users by their misappropriation and unauthorised use of Pi’s name and trademark," says the company.

It adds that neither Pi Network, nor anyone affiliated with Pi Network, has any affiliation with any parties organising or engaging in such illegal or harmful activities to our users or the community. The company says Pi is free to mine and users should stay away from those charging money or those who make false promises regarding monetary rewards. "Any such activities which seek to charge users money or make false and misleading promises of monetary rewards or future profits, or MLM are unauthorised by Pi Network—Pi is free to mine and has never been for sale," the company has clarified.

If there are doubts, users can refer to the official "Pi Safety Center for official communications channels, official links to Pi apps and products, and other information" on how to safeguard their Pi account and wallet.

The company says the launch of the "Open Network" brings an important new change—external connectivity—to the Pi blockchain, creating an environment where Pi can connect securely with external systems, expanding opportunities for Pioneers and businesses.

The company has set up the "Open Network" launch to 8:00 AM UTC on February 20, 2025.

Notably, Pi Network is a digital currency project where people can mine or earn Pi coins using their smartphones, a major shift from traditional currencies, which require crypto mining using powerful computers and consume a lot of energy. With the launch of Pi Coin in Open Network, the company is trying to make crypto mining accessible to everyone via mobile app. The crypto exchange OKX has already announced that it's accepting Pi coin deposits and following February 20, it may also begin trading in Pi coins.

Why Pi Network is launching its Open Network?

The Pi Network launching its "Open Network" on February 20, 2025, means the Pi coin will move from a restrictive phase to a wider phase and will have real-world use cases, which will allow users to carry out transactions with other platforms. This much-anticipated transition is expected to boost the overall usability and potential monetary gains for Pi Network investors.

As per Pi Network, its six-year journey to an "Open Network" has been built on milestones and deliberate phases driven by users or pioneers, the ecosystem, and the community. Since 2021, the company has launched its enclosed network, which has now paved the way for an open network. "The current Mainnet Phase 3 began in December 2021 with the launch of the Enclosed Network period, which meant Mainnet was live but with a firewall that prevents any external connectivity," says the company.

What is Mainnet?

Mainnet is a stage that comes after a cryptocurrency project passes through "testnet" stage and becomes valuable and fully operational for real-world use cases. Once in the open network, users will be able to complete KYC and obtain Pi on Mainnet; developers will be able to build real apps and utilities for the Pi ecosystem; and The Core Team will be able to release and improve various Pi features and utilities. The launch of the Open Network brings an important new change—external connectivity—to the layer-1 Pi blockchain creating an environment where Pi can connect securely with external systems, expanding opportunities for Pioneers and businesses.

How users or pioneers can engage actively?

They can continue mining, with rate adjustments in line with the declining exponential issuance model and monthly limits. They can also engage with Pi Apps, support Pi Network and Pi through your use of the platform and Pi, and help to expand the ecosystem’s utility. Developers can refine existing, and create new, solutions that address the genuine needs of the Pi community and beyond.

Store owners can continue to accept Pi, allowing users to participate in peer-to-peer transactions for goods and services, bringing Pi continued utility in Pioneers’ everyday life.

The company says the network will continue the KYC and migration process after the Open Network launches.

Developers can make refinements to apps to address needs and wants and address any issues that arise following Mainnet. They can build Pi apps to contribute to the Pi Ecosystem. As Pi Network enters the Open Network period, pioneers, developers, and businesses can collaborate actively.