Pi Network has finally launched the Open Mainnet. So, how can you buy Pi coin? After years of speculation, mining from a phone, and heated debates on whether it’s real or just hype, Pi has hit exchanges in 2025. Here’s what you need to know.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ Pi Coin trading is live. You can buy Pi on a number of centralized and decentralized exchanges including OKX, CoinW, and Bitget.
➤ Note that existing Pi miners selling has created high levels of volatility early on.
➤ Pi IOUs aren’t real Pi; right now only Pi-specific trading pairs like Pi/SDT are credible.
How to buy the Pi coin?
With Pi Network having moved to Open Mainnet, exchanges have launched Pi trading. Here’s a quick summary of what you need to do to buy Pi.
- Sign up on a supported exchange & complete KYC (identity verification is required).
- Deposit funds (preferably USDT, as Pi will trade against USDT).
- Place a buy order for PI/USDT (limit order first, market order after five minutes).
- Withdraw Pi to a secure wallet.
Let’s take a closer look at each step.
1. Sign up on & complete KYC
Before you can buy Pi, you need an account on a supported exchange. This example uses OKX, although the steps are similar on Bitget. Go to OKX.com and register, complete KYC verification (upload ID, take a selfie), and once verified, you’re ready to deposit funds and trade.
Note: No KYC = No Pi trading. Make sure you verify your identity in advance!
2. Deposit funds (USDT or fiat) into OKX
Pi is being traded against USDT, so you’ll need some in your OKX account. You can deposit USDT from another wallet (the quickest method), or you can buy USDT using fiat (credit card, bank transfer, or P2P trading).
If you already own crypto on OKX, swapping for USDT is an option.
3. Trade Pi
Pi is available for trading. Here’s a quick timeline of what happened when.
- Deposits opened on Feb. 12, 2025 (2:45 AM UTC)
- The Call auction period ended on Feb. 20, 2025 (7:00 – 8:00 AM UTC)
- Spot trading started on Feb. 20, 2025 (8:00 AM UTC)
- Withdrawals have been available since Feb. 21, 2025 (8:00 AM UTC)
Did you know? Call auction is a one hour period where you can place buy/sell orders, but trades won’t execute until the period is over. This helps prevent price manipulation and sudden volatility.
4. Place a buy order for Pi Coin (PI/USDT)
You can buy Pi in two ways — as a limit order or as a market order. Limit orders allow you to choose your best buying or selling price (in case you plan on shorting). You can even place market orders.
“Take profit” and “stop loss” orders can also be set. However, note that Pi coin’s early volatility triggered key price levels quickly, making these orders rather unreliable. As of March 10, 2025, the price of the crypto has dropped nearly over 20% in the last 24 hours, for example.
As Pi Coin gained a lot of attention when it went live, a number of trading restrictions were initially in place.
- Maximum limit order value: $10,000 per user.
- Maximum net position size: $10,000 per user.
However, as of mid-March, these restrictions have been lifted.
Once you’ve bought Pi, you can leave your assets on OKX or move them to a wallet (we advise the latter to ensure your PI is secured).
If you’re looking to sell Pi Coin, you need to transfer it from your Pi Network Wallet (Pi browser) to an exchange.
Where to buy Pi coin?
A number of crypto exchanges listed Pi Coin (PI) on Feb. 20, 2025.
Some trading moves can be different depending on the exchange you are looking at. Do note that Binance might also not be far behind in this exchange listing race.
In addition to these confirmed listings, some exchanges have been trading Pi IOUs, which are not actual Pi Coins but speculative derivatives representing a future claim to the real token.
Exchanges trading Pi IOUs (not real Pi Coin yet):
- HTX (Huobi)
- BitMart
Note: Pi IOUs are NOT actual Pi assets.
Pi IOUs are speculative assets traded on some exchanges as a placeholder for Pi Coin, but they do not represent the actual value of Pi.
Note: Concerns around OKX’s Pi Coin listing include its referral-driven model, KYC issues, and centralization risks. There may be issues around delayed verifications, speculative IOU pricing, and Pi’s long development cycle. Some fear early investors may exploit new traders. We advise you proceed with caution until the real market value emerges.
While the price of Pi Coin dropped after its mainnet launch, as of March. 10, 2025, is currently sitting around $1.73.
Do holders have Pi Coins already?
Yes, millions of people already held Pi Coins (without having to buy them), as Pi Network was mineable via mobile devices long before the exchange listings were announced. Since its early days, Pi has been distributed through a unique mining process that allowed users to accumulate Pi Coins without expensive mining rigs.
Based on current data, Pi Network has over 60 million engaged users, and more than 19 million people have completed KYC (identity verification). Additionally, over 10 million users have already migrated their Pi Coins to the Mainnet. The Pi Network airdrop is set to beat Uniswap’s record, distributing a huge $12.6 billion worth of Pi Coins to eligible users. Here’s how to qualify.
For years, these Pi holders could not trade their coins externally due to the Enclosed Mainnet phase, but now, with exchanges listing Pi, the wait is over — holders can finally move their Pi to exchanges and trade it for other assets.
Looking to diversify and scoop up some more free mining coins ? Our Pi Coin alternatives guide details some of the other options on the market in 2025.
Should you buy Pi coin now or wait?
With Pi Coin finally hitting exchanges, the market has shifted from speculation to real trading. However, as mentioned previously, prices are seeing high volatility due in part to early miners offloading their assets.
Therefore, we would recommend buying only if you are a long-term Pi believer. The smartest move here would be to do your own research while waiting and watching for the prices and holding patterns to settle.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Buying Pi Coins does not guarantee profit. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
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