After six years of anticipation, Pi Network has officially announced its mainnet launch, backed by support from major cryptocurrency exchanges. This marks a pivotal moment—Pi Coin is now on the verge of becoming a tradable digital asset.
But before you can sell your Pi Coins, you must successfully complete a 9-step verification and mainnet migration process, including mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) authentication. Only Pi Coins transferred through Pi Network’s official mainnet pipeline qualify as legitimate, exchange-ready assets.
This comprehensive guide walks you through each step—ensuring you’re fully prepared to convert your mobile-mined Pi into real value.
Understanding Pi Network: From Mobile Mining to Real Value
Launched in 2019, Pi Network revolutionized crypto mining by allowing users to earn Pi Coins directly from their smartphones—no expensive hardware or high electricity costs required. Simply open the app daily and tap the lightning button to mine.
Despite its accessibility, Pi remained confined to a closed mainnet for years. During this phase, users could only trade Pi among verified members via peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions. There was no official exchange listing, making true liquidity impossible.
Now, with the open mainnet launch, verified users can migrate their Pi to the blockchain and transfer it to supported exchanges—finally unlocking real-world trading potential.
✅ Only Pi Coins migrated through the official Pi Network mainnet process are recognized as valid assets.
Important: HTX’s Pi Is Not the Real Pi Coin
In late 2022, HTX (formerly Huobi) listed a token labeled “Pi,” causing confusion among users. However, this version is not the official Pi Network coin.
HTX’s Pi is an IOU (I Owe You) token—a speculative futures-like instrument representing a promise of future delivery. Since HTX does not allow deposits or withdrawals of actual Pi, users cannot exchange their mined coins for this IOU.
Despite lacking official backing, the IOU surged in price following the open mainnet announcement—peaking at $100 and settling around $77 at press time, with over 70% gains in 24 hours.
👉 Discover how real Pi migration works and avoid confusion with unofficial tokens.
⚠️ Investor Alert: The IOU on HTX is not tradable with your mined Pi. Rely only on official Pi Network channels for real asset transfer.
Step-by-Step: The 9-Step Pi Coin Withdrawal Process
Contrary to numerical order, the correct sequence is: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 7 → 8 → 6 → 9. Follow this exact flow to ensure smooth progress.
Open the Pi App, go to Token Balance → Transfer, and you’ll see a checklist of nine steps. Your goal? Turn all purple/gray boxes green.
Step 1: Download the Pi Browser App
The Pi Browser is your gateway to the Pi ecosystem. Download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. This browser enables access to Pi-based dApps and services post-migration.
🔗 Tip: Use the same device for consistency across verification steps.
Step 2: Create a New Pi Wallet
If it's your first time, select "Create New Wallet." You'll then generate a 24-word recovery phrase (mnemonic seed).
📌 Security Tip: Write this phrase on paper—never store it digitally. Losing it means losing access to your funds permanently.
Step 3: Confirm Your Pi Wallet
Re-enter the 24-word phrase to verify ownership. Then, enable biometric login (Face ID/fingerprint) for added security. Once confirmed, your wallet balance will appear—proof you control the assets.
Step 4: Set Your Commitment (Lockup Configuration)
This step determines how much Pi you lock up and for how long. Your choices impact mining efficiency and liquidity:
- Short lockup + small amount: Ideal if you plan to sell immediately after listing.
- Long lockup + large amount: Boosts mining rewards; suitable for long-term believers.
Choose based on your financial goals—there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy.
Step 5: Secure Your Account
This step auto-completes if prior steps were done correctly. It confirms your account meets security standards for migration.
Step 7: Submit Your KYC Application
KYC is mandatory for mainnet access. Follow these sub-steps:
- Upload ID: Choose one—government ID, passport, or driver’s license. Ensure clarity and full visibility of text/photo.
- Enter Personal Info: Input name, gender, date of birth, and address in the same language as your document.
- Facial Scan: Use your camera for real-time identity verification—match must align with ID photo.
After submission, pay the KYC fee in Pi (amount varies). Approval grants full account privileges and mainnet eligibility.
Step 8: Wait for KYC Results
Once submitted, a countdown timer appears (orange border), indicating processing has begun.
⏳ Processing time varies widely—some users report approval within days; others wait over a month. Stay patient and avoid resubmitting unless prompted.
Step 6: Initiate Mainnet Migration
Despite being labeled "Step 6," this activates only after KYC approval (Steps 7 & 8). Tap "Start Migration" to begin transferring your Pi balance to the mainnet blockchain.
Step 9: Monitor Migration Progress
After initiating migration, this final step shows your queue status. When complete, the box turns green—and your mainnet wallet reflects your full balance.
Two Critical Waiting Periods Before Selling
Even after completing all nine steps, two delays remain:
Mainnet Queue Wait
- After Step 9, you join a migration queue due to network capacity limits.
- Wait times vary—could be hours or days depending on user volume.
30-Day Lockup Period
- Upon migration, only 0.01 Pi is immediately available.
- The rest enters a ~30-day lockup before full withdrawal access is granted.
- This prevents immediate dumping and stabilizes early market dynamics.
👉 Stay ahead—learn how early movers prepare for post-lockup trading opportunities.
Can You Sell Pi Coin Now? Exchange Readiness Explained
Yes—but selectively. Major platforms like OKX have announced support for Pi deposits ahead of trading pairs going live. Once your Pi is in an exchange wallet and trading opens, you can sell freely.
However:
- Trading pairs may debut gradually (e.g., PI/USDT first).
- Initial volatility is expected—plan entries/exits carefully.
📌 Final Note: Only wallets that completed full KYC and migration can transfer real Pi Coins. Fake or third-party versions hold no value on official markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is Pi Coin officially listed on any exchange yet?
As of early 2025, several top-tier exchanges—including OKX—have confirmed upcoming listing support pending full mainnet rollout. While deposits may be open, active trading pairs are expected shortly after migration completion.
Q2: What happens if my KYC gets rejected?
You’ll receive feedback via the Pi App. Common issues include blurry ID photos or name mismatches. Fix the error and reapply—each attempt consumes a small Pi fee.
Q3: Do I need to pay USD to complete KYC?
No—the KYC fee is paid in Pi, not fiat currency. No external payments are required during verification.
Q4: Can I skip KYC and still use Pi?
Without KYC, you remain on the closed network with limited functionality—no withdrawals, no exchange transfers, no full wallet access.
Q5: Will unstaked Pi affect my mining rate?
Post-migration, uncommitted (unlocked) Pi no longer contributes to mining bonuses. To maintain earning potential, consider re-locking post-sale.
Q6: How do I protect against scams during migration?
Never share your 24-word phrase or login codes. Official processes occur only inside the Pi App—no email links or third-party sites are involved.
Final Thoughts: The True Value of Pi Awaits Market Validation
Six years in the making, Pi Network’s open mainnet launch transforms mobile-mined digits into potentially tradable assets. Completing the 9-step process—especially KYC and migration—is your key to unlocking real economic participation.
While skepticism remains, millions of users now have a chance to see whether Pi thrives in the open market or fades as a novelty experiment.
👉 Be ready when trading begins—secure your position using trusted exchange infrastructure today.