Pi Network Core Team Accused of Betrayal? Facts, Emotions, and the Future of Picoin

Pi Network, the crypto project founded by Stanford alumni, is facing a wave of criticism from within its own community. Accusations of betrayal against the Core Team emerged after Picoin’s price dropped to $0.40 on centralized exchanges (CEX), sparking chaos and heated debates across social media. But beneath the emotional reactions lie critical facts that deserve a closer look.

Picoin Price Drop: What Caused It? According to reports from DailyCoin, Picoin reached a peak of $2.99 following its mainnet launch, but later plunged to $0.40 in April 2025. This decline coincided with the announcement of Pi Network Ventures—a $100 million initiative aimed at expanding Picoin’s real-world utility through investments in e-commerce, AI, and social platforms.

Rather than being met with enthusiasm, the announcement triggered backlash from many community members. A poll revealed that 60.6% of users felt “deeply disappointed” with the new direction taken by the Core Team.

Accusations of Betrayal: Community Perspectives One of the most vocal critics, Dr. Altcoin, described the Core Team’s decisions as a betrayal of the Pioneers who had supported the project for six years. He pointed to the lack of functional decentralized applications (dApps) on the mainnet and the unclear structure of rewards and referrals.

However, a tweet from @PiNetwork_info offered a contrasting narrative: “The PiCoreTeam didn’t betray you; you betrayed the project by selling your Pis on the CEX at $0.40 and creating all sorts of chaos.” The message emphasized that loyalty to Pi Network’s long-term vision is essential, and that the Core Team remains committed to its promises to Stanford, the IMF, and the World Bank.

Purity Badge and the CEX Controversy A central issue in this conflict is the “Purity Badge”—a marker indicating that Picoin has never been transferred to an exchange or external wallet. According to Binance Square, only about 1 million Picoin still retain this badge, out of a much larger total supply.

Pi coins sent to CEXs permanently lose their badge status and may be excluded from full access to mainnet features. This has sparked debate over individual responsibility versus the Core Team’s policies.

Open Network and Pi’s Future Pi Network is scheduled to launch its Open Network in Q1 2025. This transition will remove the mainnet firewall and allow the community to run their own nodes. With over 10 million users successfully migrated to the mainnet and verified through KYC, the Pi ecosystem is poised to enter full decentralization.

This milestone is expected to expand Picoin’s utility and unlock new opportunities in Web3, including staking, DeFi, and blockchain-based applications.

The @PiCoreTeam didn't betray you or abandon you;you betrayed the project by selling your Pis on the CEX at $0.40 and creating all sorts of chaos.
The CT will not betray the loyal pioneers, will not betray Stanford,the UTC,the IMF,or the World Bank. Their promise will be kept🔥🚀 pic.twitter.com/4rK7gFfL6I

— Pi Network Info 🌎 (@PiNetwork_info) August 6, 2025

Core Team Response: Commitment and Transparency In various official statements, the Core Team has reiterated that they have not abandoned the community. They continue to release technical updates, including a new SDK, mandatory KYC verification, and a mobile-first experience that sets a new standard.

Pi Network founder Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis stated, “The future of Pi is being built carefully, brick by brick.” This reflects the team’s gradual and long-term approach to development.

Community Dynamics: Loyalty vs. Speculation The Pi Network community is divided between those who remain loyal to the long-term vision and those disillusioned by recent developments. Some users demand listings on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, while others argue that utility is more important than price.

Tweets from @PiNetwork_info and other supporters reinforce the idea that “Pi doesn’t need exchanges—it needs utility. Price follows utility.” This narrative strengthens the position that Pi is a long-term project rejecting short-term speculation.

Conclusion: A Long Road Toward True Decentralization Pi Network stands at a critical crossroads. On one side, there is pressure from the community to accelerate adoption and increase Picoin’s value. On the other, the Core Team remains committed to a gradual, sustainable approach to ecosystem development.

Accusations of betrayal may reflect deep disappointment, but they also reveal the high expectations placed on this project. With the Open Network launch approaching, Pi Network’s future will depend on the ability of its community and leadership to unite around a shared vision.

Writer @Ellena

Ellena 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.

 

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