Pi Network collapses 54% in a week — yet analysts predict 250% upside

Despite a 54% drop, Pi Network price prediction remains surprisingly bullish. Can PI defy market doubt and rebound? Table of Contents Pi Network price takes a hit What really happened with Pi Network? Allegations, confusion, and a trust gap Pi Network price prediction Pi Network price takes a hit Pi Network ( PI ) has recorded a 54% decline in the past week, marking the steepest weekly drop among the top 100 crypto assets. Pi Network price chart | Source: crypto.news The decline followed a short-lived rally that saw Pi coin surge from $0.78 on May 11 to a peak of $1.61 on May 12, a 106% increase within 24 hours. The move was largely driven by anticipation surrounding Pi Network’s upcoming appearance at Consensus 2025 and early hints at a major ecosystem update. However, the momentum quickly faded.Following the May 14–15 reveal of a $100 million ecosystem fund, sentiment shifted. The announcement, though sizable on paper, was widely interpreted as yet another delay in actual network access rather than a clear turning point. As a result, the price fell to $0.68 by May 18, representing a nearly 58% drop from the May 12 peak. As of this writing on May 19, PI is trading around $0.71, reflecting a modest 4.4% recovery from the recent low. In addition, the ongoing lack of exchange listings and persistent KYC limitations continue to restrict trading activity, leaving the price more exposed to perception-driven volatility. Let’s now look more closely at Pi Network’s current ecosystem, recent technical and structural issues, and what kind of price action can reasonably be expected in the days ahead. What really happened with Pi Network? Over the past month, Pi Network made a series of announcements that were expected to mark a turning point for the project. Instead, they introduced more questions than answers. The core team had previously hinted at a major ecosystem milestone scheduled for May 14, creating anticipation that the long-awaited decentralized applications would finally become a reality. Some developments did occur. In early May, Pi Network completed the shutdown of its last remaining central node as part of the Horizon upgrade. This was framed as a step toward decentralization, aligning with earlier claims about preparing the infrastructure for full network autonomy. The team also signaled plans to open-source its codebase, something community members have been requesting for years as a move toward transparency. On the accessibility side, Pi partnered with Banxa to integrate fiat onramps into the app, allowing users to buy PI using traditional payment methods like credit cards and Apple Pay or Google Pay. Notably, this service became available even before users completed the in-app know-your-customer process. While this improved entry points into the ecosystem, it did not equate to actual utility for the token itself. The key announcement on May 14 was the launch of Pi Network Ventures, a $100 million investment fund aimed at supporting ecosystem development. Alongside this, the team introduced the concept of an “ownerless” Pi Foundation, meant to provide long-term governance for the network. While both initiatives are structurally important, neither included a timeline for the launch of widely usable applications. For users who had been mining Pi for years with the expectation of real-world usage, this marked another delay. This is especially relevant in the context of earlier guidance. Back in February, the team suggested that over 100 decentralized applications would accompany the Open Network launch. As of now, aside from experimental events like a Pi domain name auction or a small-scale shopping festival, the actual presence of working applications remains limited. There is no clear indication of when that broader app ecosystem will go live. Further disappointment followed Pi’s appearance at the Consensus 2025 conference. During a keynote, founder Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis discussed long-term visions involving artificial intelligence, digital identity, and decentralized finance. However, he did not provide a roadmap or dates, leaving many attendees and community observers uncertain about the next steps. Allegations, confusion, and a trust gap The past week has not only seen Pi Network’s price fall sharply, but also a visible breakdown in trust within its user base. As the price corrected, community sentiment across platforms like Discord and X turned openly critical. A growing number of long-time Pi users, known as “Pioneers,” began voicing concerns that the project was being deliberately delayed, with little effort to provide real utility or access. These frustrations were compounded by fresh allegations. On May 17, an X user known as Dr. Picoin, a Pi-focused community analyst, posted blockchain screenshots claiming that a Pi core team-linked wallet moved 12 million PI tokens close to the time when the token reached its recent high. In the last 24 hours alone, PCT sold approximately 12 million Pi! @PiCoreTeam @nkokkalis @Chengdiao pic.twitter.com/TdzF8ucdtX — Dr Altcoin (@Dr_Picoin) May 17, 2025 He suggested this could reflect a form of insider token sale during a period when community focus was directed toward the project’s announcements. The implication was that core contributors may have offloaded holdings at elevated prices before the broader community had a chance to react. Though the claims remain unverified, the timing triggered concern. The wallet address in question, tagged GABT7EMP, had been previously identified by some in the community as a standard distribution or migration wallet used to transition balances from testnet to mainnet. Some Pi supporters pushed back, arguing that the allegations were based on a misreading of blockchain data. Dr. Picoin followed up with a longer statement outlining a series of grievances from the community’s perspective. He highlighted delays in core features, such as referral-based rewards not being honored, inconsistencies in KYC rollout since 2021, and repeated postponements of the Open Network launch, which finally launched in February 2025. The Pi Core Team’s Latest Move Leaves Pioneers Behind The recent launch of Pi Network Ventures has sparked frustration across the community—and for good reason. After six years of dedication, mining, promoting, and waiting, Pioneers expected a thriving ecosystem. Instead, we… pic.twitter.com/046ayH4Ntz — Dr Altcoin (@Dr_Picoin) May 15, 2025 According to him, the recent $100 million Pi Ventures fund is now being framed as a way to build the 100 DApps that were already promised years ago, raising the question of how earlier hackathons and ad revenues were utilized. Others in the community raised issues around censorship. In one case, a user claimed to have been banned from a Pi community channel after asking why wallet mapping and exchange access were restricted in mainland China. As of now, the Pi Core Team has not issued a formal response to the allegations or provided clarity on the disputed wallet activity. Nothing is confirmed or independently verified, and all interpretations remain unproven claims at this stage. Pi Network price prediction Following its recent correction, Pi is trading at approximately $0.71. The question for many holders now is whether this price can recover, and if so, how far and how fast. In the short term, CoinCodex estimates a possible price increase to $0.947 over the next five days, marking a 33.4% rise from current levels. Further ahead, the 1-month prediction points to a target of $2.38, a 235% increase from the current price. The 3-month projection is slightly higher at $2.51, which represents a 253.5% potential gain from $0.71. CoinCodex’s longer-term outlook for 2025 and 2026 shows similar projections . The platform places Pi’s possible trading range between $0.728 and $3.43 for both years. If PI were to reach $3.43, this would represent a 382% gain from today’s value. However, it’s important to note that these ranges remain speculative and heavily dependent on progress in network utility, exchange listings, and user adoption. DigitalCoinPrice offers a more conservative forecast. For 2025, it projects Pi’s average price at $1.44, with a potential peak of $1.56, approximately a 119.7% rise from current levels. In 2026, its estimated maximum is $1.84, a 159% increase from today. The platform expects continued growth through 2030, with Pi potentially reaching up to $3.90 by the end of the decade. Despite these optimistic projections, none of the models accounts for regulatory challenges, exchange restrictions, or unverified claims that could impact investor confidence. Pi Network still lacks a fully operational trading ecosystem. Until that changes, market access and real-world value remain limited, which makes any forecast highly uncertain. As with any emerging crypto, caution is essential. Pi Network still has to prove its long-term viability, andPi Network price predictions alone should not be the basis for investment decisions. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Source: crypto.news