From Forbes to the Future: Pi Network Named Among World’s Top Trending Cryptocurrencies

In a significant moment for emerging blockchain projects, Forbes—one of the world’s most influential financial media outlets—has officially recognized Pi Network as one of the top trending cryptocurrencies globally.

The announcement was made in Forbes' latest feature highlighting digital assets with growing global momentum, placing Pi Network alongside established names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. For a project that launched with no tradable price and relied on mobile-based mining, the recognition marks a major step forward—and an acknowledgment of its potential to reshape the future of digital currency.

This recognition is more than symbolic. It signals a growing shift in how mainstream media and institutional analysts are beginning to view decentralized projects that prioritize accessibility, community development, and long-term utility.

A Project Built from the Ground Up

Pi Network was founded by a team of Stanford PhDs, led by Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis and Dr. Chengdiao Fan, with the goal of making cryptocurrency accessible to the everyday user. Unlike traditional crypto mining operations, which require expensive hardware and high energy consumption, Pi allowed users to mine coins directly from their smartphones with minimal resources.

The mobile mining model was met with skepticism early on. Critics questioned the project’s scalability and real-world utility. Yet, over the past few years, Pi Network has grown to a community of over 60 million engaged users, known as "Pioneers," in more than 230 countries.

Forbes’ inclusion of Pi in its top trending list appears to be based on both user adoption and ecosystem development. According to the feature, the publication took into account global search volume, user engagement, app usage, and community growth metrics—all areas where Pi Network has demonstrated exceptional performance.

“This Is Validation”

Across Pi’s official forums and community channels, the news sparked celebration among long-time supporters who have spent years building, mining, and promoting the project without any immediate financial return.

“This is validation,” said Sarah Thompson, a Pi Pioneer and ecosystem developer from Canada. “We’ve been growing quietly, building infrastructure, educating users, and supporting app development. For Forbes to recognize that effort now—it’s a milestone.”

Indeed, while other cryptocurrency projects often chase fast market returns through token listings and speculative trading, Pi Network has taken a markedly different path. Its core philosophy has centered on building real-world utility before market integration.

Currently, the Pi ecosystem supports a growing number of decentralized applications, many of which are already running within the Pi Browser. These apps range from e-commerce platforms and social media communities to barter markets and travel services—all designed to run on Pi’s internal economy.

A Different Kind of Hype

The recognition by Forbes comes at a pivotal moment. Pi Network is in the final stages of its Mainnet migration, a crucial process of transferring user balances from the test environment to the live blockchain. As of May 2025, tens of millions of users have already completed their Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, and the platform’s Mainnet Checklist is nearly fulfilled.

But perhaps what sets Pi apart is not just the technology—it’s the community ethos.

“Most crypto projects start with a token, raise millions through ICOs, and only then think about utility,” said blockchain consultant Jason Reed. “Pi flipped that model. They said, ‘Let’s build the utility first, let’s prove the value through action, not hype.’ That’s why this Forbes listing is so meaningful—it acknowledges a more sustainable approach.”

Building While the World Watched

The road to this moment was anything but easy. Pi Network faced criticism for its long development timeline and for choosing to remain in a "closed network" phase rather than listing its token on exchanges. But that decision, according to the Pi Core Team, was strategic.

“True decentralization doesn’t happen overnight,” said Dr. Kokkalis in a recent public address. “You can’t just flip a switch and expect utility to emerge. You need a strong foundation—millions of verified users, functional apps, developer support, and a secure blockchain.”

According to Core Team updates, Pi is currently undergoing integration tests with major cryptocurrency pairings, including Pi/BTC, Pi/ETH, and Pi/USDT. This has led to increased speculation that Pi could become tradable on centralized exchanges in the near future, once Open Mainnet launches.

Meanwhile, Pioneers around the world have continued to find creative uses for their Pi. In several countries, small businesses have started accepting Pi for goods and services. From cafes and clothing stores in Vietnam to car dealerships in China and local markets in Indonesia, the grassroots use of Pi is growing steadily.

What’s Next for Pi Network?

With Forbes’ recognition, expectations are naturally rising. But insiders caution that the project’s long-term vision remains focused on responsible growth and utility-based expansion.

A Pi Core Team spokesperson stated,
“Our next goals involve strengthening our developer community, expanding the app ecosystem, and preparing for a smooth transition to Open Mainnet. Recognition from media is welcome, but our focus remains on building real-world applications for Pi.”

The Core Team also recently launched a Developer Ambassador Program and expanded support for third-party app integration through the Pi SDK, enabling more developers to build on the Pi blockchain.

Additionally, Pi Ads Network, a decentralized advertising initiative, is in the pipeline and expected to be rolled out post-Open Mainnet. This will allow app developers to monetize traffic with advertisers paying in Pi, further increasing the utility and velocity of the token.

A Symbol of Decentralized Hope

At its core, Pi Network represents more than just a cryptocurrency—it’s a social movement grounded in the belief that access to digital finance should not be limited by geography or wealth.

For users in developing nations, where access to traditional banking services is limited, Pi Network offers an opportunity to participate in a global digital economy. The mobile-first mining model has proven particularly popular in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

From Forbes to the Future: The Rise of Pi Network”

Breaking news—Forbes has just named Pi Network as one of the top trending cryptocurrencies in the world.

Let that sink in.

The same Forbes that tracks the pulse of global finance… the same Forbes that has chronicled the rise… pic.twitter.com/bcBG8dMg8n

— Mr Spock 𝛑 (@MrSpockApe) May 12, 2025

Forbes’ mention of Pi as a rising global cryptocurrency is not just a nod to technology, but to inclusion—and to a movement that started quietly but now stands at the threshold of global recognition.

Final Thoughts

As the crypto world continues to evolve in 2025, with regulation, innovation, and adoption accelerating simultaneously, Pi Network’s rise serves as a powerful reminder: not all revolutions start loud. Some begin with a tap on a screen, repeated millions of times by ordinary people who dared to believe in something different.

The spotlight from Forbes may mark a turning point, but it is also a call to action—for developers, businesses, and users alike—to engage with Pi Network not just as a currency, but as a growing economic and social infrastructure.

Because while the world is watching now, Pi’s real strength has always been its people. And if this is only the beginning, the future indeed belongs to Pi.

Writer @Erlin

Erlin is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.

 

 Check out other news and articles on Google News

Disclaimer:

The articles published on hokanews are intended to provide up-to-date information on various topics, including cryptocurrency and technology news. The content on our site is not intended as an invitation to buy, sell, or invest in any assets. We encourage readers to conduct their own research and evaluation before making any investment or financial decisions.

hokanews is not responsible for any losses or damages that may arise from the use of information provided on this site. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and advice from qualified financial advisors. Information on HokaNews may change without notice, and we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content published.