Pi Network Shuts Central Node, Moves Toward Decentralization

The Pi Network core team has officially shut down its central node, marking a significant step toward decentralization. This move aligns with the network's long-stated mission to transition from a centrally controlled project to a fully decentralized blockchain secured by its proprietary IPoS (Improved Proof of Stake) consensus mechanism. The shutdown of the central node was confirmed by Pi Network VietNames on X (Twitter), who shared a network diagram that appears to confirm its removal.

This development comes as the network prepares for a major ecosystem announcement aligned with the Consensus 2025 event in Toronto. The Pi Network has hinted at a significant reveal, likely to be formally announced during the event. Community members are anticipating several key events, including a major ecosystem announcement on May 14, a hint of something great or good on May 15, and a speech by Pi Network’s Dr. Nicolas in Toronto.

The planned release of Pi Network’s source code could increase transparency and community trust, addressing long-standing concerns about the project’s actual decentralization status. Critics have pointed to the network’s supernode architecture as a centralization risk, with the Pi core team still playing a dominant role in Supernode selection and holding an estimated 82.8 billion PI coins. This has raised red flags about the concentration of power within the network.

Despite these concerns, the Pi Network community remains optimistic about the upcoming announcements. The network boasts over 100 million downloads for its mining app and 10 million for the Pi Browser. Updates to these apps have been highlighted, with new versions available on the Play Store just before the major announcement. However, community members still yearn for a Binance listing, a milestone that has remained elusive.

The shutdown of the central node and the planned source code release are strategic moves that could redefine the public perception of the Pi Network. Concerns linger over scam claims, its closed mainnet, and inaccessible coin transfers. Access to features like “lightning” still requires a VPN, highlighting lingering issues with accessibility and raising questions about how truly open the Pi ecosystem is. Nevertheless, these developments signal a potential transition for Pi Network from a speculative mobile mining app into a legitimate Layer-1 protocol by displaying real progress in decentralization and open development.