Overview of Pi Network and Its Mainnet Launch

What Is Pi Network?

Key Features of Pi Network

• Mobile Mining: Users tap a lightning bolt icon in the app to start mining Pi.
• Trust Circles: The network uses a system where users nominate 3-5 trusted contacts, creating a global trust graph that secures transactions without heavy computing power.
• Reward Structure: Users earn base rewards for daily check-ins, additional rewards for expanding their trusted circles, and bonuses for running full nodes.
• KYC Verification: Since December 2021, users have been operating on an "enclosed" mainnet. KYC verification is now required to transfer mined Pi coins, with plans to remove these restrictions in the future for full external connectivity.

Current Pi Coin Price & Trading

• Price on OKX: Approximately $1.78
• Price on Bitget: Approximately $1.70

How to Own Pi Coin: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Download & Install the App:
   Get the Pi Network mobile app from the official source.
   
2. Start Mining:
   Tap the lightning bolt icon in the app daily to start accumulating Pi coins.
   
3. Build Your Security Circle:
   After three days of mining, add 3-5 trusted contacts to improve your mining rate.
   
4. Refer Friends:
   Use your referral code to invite others, which boosts your earnings.
   
5. Engage With the App:
   Participate in chats, polls, and other interactive features to maximize rewards.
   
6. Complete KYC Verification:
   When prompted, complete the verification process to migrate your coins from the testnet to the live mainnet.

Pi Coin: Market Potential and Future Prospects

Final Thoughts

Japan’s FSA Greenlights Reforms to Ease Stablecoin and Brokerage Regulations

The Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) has approved a report from a working group recommending significant regulatory reforms to ease restrictions on stablecoins and crypto brokerage in Japan. The proposed changes aim to address longstanding criticisms from local crypto firms that Japan’s current regulations are overly stringent.

Key Points of the Regulatory Reforms

1. Stablecoin Collateral Backing:

   • The reforms suggest allowing stablecoins to be backed not only by demand deposits but also by short-term government bonds and fixed-term deposits.
   • A new collateral limit is recommended, capping the proportion of bonds and deposits used as backing at 50%.

2. Easing Brokerage Regulations:

   • The working group has proposed the creation of a new regulatory category for “intermediary” crypto businesses or brokerages.
   • Currently, all firms that facilitate crypto asset exchanges must obtain a virtual asset service provider license, similar to crypto exchanges.
   • Under the new recommendations, brokerages would be subject to their own set of registration requirements and anti-money laundering obligations, reducing the regulatory burden and easing market entry.

3. Broader Impact on Payment-Related Laws:

   • These changes will affect key payment-related laws, including the Trust Business Act and the Payment Services Act, where cryptocurrencies are still classified as digital payment tools.
   • The proposed amendments aim to strike a balance between enhanced convenience for crypto businesses and the necessary safety measures to protect users.

Market Implications and Future Outlook

The proposed reforms by the FSA are expected to make it easier for crypto firms to operate within Japan, encouraging innovation and market entry. By easing the regulatory environment, Japan hopes to position itself as a more attractive destination for both domestic and international crypto businesses.

Furthermore, the FSA is also considering changes to the classification of cryptocurrencies, with plans to reclassify them as financial products (similar to securities) rather than just payment tools. A final decision on this reclassification is anticipated in June 2025, which could further influence the regulatory framework for digital assets in Japan.

Conclusion

The FSA's recent approval of these reforms marks a significant step forward in Japan's efforts to modernize its crypto regulations. By easing the requirements for stablecoins and creating a new regulatory category for crypto brokerages, Japan is aiming to foster a more flexible and innovation-friendly environment. These changes are expected to support market growth and provide better protections for users, all while ensuring that crypto businesses can operate more efficiently.

What are your thoughts on these regulatory changes? Share your insights and join the discussion on how Japan’s evolving crypto landscape could set new benchmarks for global markets.

Pi Network Mainnet Launch Sparks a 35% Price Rally in Pi Coin

The highly anticipated launch of Pi Network's open mainnet on February 20, 2025, has led to a significant rally in the platform's native token, Pi coin. Within less than an hour of the mainnet going live at 8 am UTC, Pi coin's price surged by over 35%, capturing the attention of the crypto community.

A Major Milestone for Pi Network

After over six years in development and operating on an enclosed mainnet since 2021, Pi Network has finally transitioned to an open mainnet. This upgrade enables its community members—referred to as pioneers—to trade Pi coins openly. Developers now have the opportunity to showcase their projects, with over 100 applications already built in sectors such as decentralized finance and gaming.

Exchange Listings and Initial Trading Volatility

Following the mainnet launch, several prominent centralized crypto exchanges, including OKX, HTX, Bybit, MEXC, Gate.io, BitMart, and Bitget, quickly listed Pi coin (PI). Binance, however, opted for a different approach, launching a poll on its platform to decide whether to list the token, with the poll running until February 27.

This swift move to list Pi coin triggered notable trading activity. According to CoinGecko data, the token surged to a high of $1.97 before stabilizing around $1.8 on OKX and $1.78 on Bitget. On Bitget, Pi coin even briefly spiked to $3.4 before retracing sharply, while on Bybit, the price dipped below $1 shortly after trading began.

Community Impact and Future Prospects

The Pi Network has built a substantial community over the years, with millions of users actively engaging on platforms like X, where the network has amassed over 3.8 million followers. At its peak, the project boasted more than 50 million users. This large and active user base is expected to continue driving interest and accumulation of Pi coin.

However, there are concerns that early miners, who have been accumulating Pi for years, might start cashing out, potentially leading to sharp pullbacks. History has shown that hype-driven rallies in newly listed tokens often face heavy sell-offs before finding a stable price range. Moreover, the long-term impact of additional tier-1 exchange listings from major players such as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken remains uncertain, and could either bolster or dampen the current hype.

Pi Network's Unique Value Proposition

Unlike traditional proof-of-work networks, Pi Network allows users to mine Pi coin through a mobile application, making participation accessible globally. This innovative tap-to-earn model has contributed to the network's massive adoption and growing interest, even before its official mainnet launch.

Key Details of the Mainnet Launch

Final Thoughts

The launch of the Pi Network mainnet marks a significant turning point for the project, creating new opportunities for both community members and developers. While the initial price rally is promising, the true test will be how the market absorbs the token once the hype subsides. With potential for further listings on major exchanges and continued community support, the long-term prospects for Pi coin remain intriguing, though investors should remain cautious amid potential volatility.

What are your thoughts on Pi Network’s transition to an open mainnet? Do you think Pi coin is poised for long-term growth or is the current rally just temporary hype? Share your insights in the comments below!

BNB Chain has officially unveiled its 2025 roadmap, marking a significant leap in blockchain scalability, AI automation, and security enhancements. Originally developed by Binance, the blockchain network aims to reduce transaction latency, introduce gasless transactions, and scale up to process 100 million transactions per second (TPS).

The roadmap also includes AI-powered smart contract automation and reinforced security measures to tackle issues like maximal extractable value (MEV) exploits, which have cost users billions.

📌 Key Upgrades in BNB Chain’s 2025 Roadmap

🚀 AI-Driven Smart Contracts: Introduction of Code Copilot, an AI assistant for automated contract deployment
💡 100M TPS Scaling: Aims to make BNB Chain one of the fastest blockchain networks
⏳ Sub-Second Transaction Latency: Faster execution with lower gas fees
🔐 Security Upgrades Against MEV Attacks: Tackling front-running & sandwich attacks
🆓 Gasless Transactions: Making crypto transactions more accessible

💡 AI-Powered Smart Contracts & Data Monetization

AI has already played a growing role in BNB Chain’s ecosystem. In 2024, the network launched AI Agent development tools, automating on-chain decision-making. It also introduced Four.Meme, an AI-driven meme coin creation platform.

🔹 Smart Contract Development with AI:
The roadmap builds on these initiatives by launching Code Copilot, an AI-powered developer assistant. This tool will help streamline smart contract writing, auditing, and deployment, reducing errors and enhancing security.

🔹 AI-Integrated DataDAOs:
BNB Chain plans to introduce AI-powered DataDAOs, allowing users to monetize private datasets while maintaining ownership and security. This will incentivize data sharing in a decentralized manner.

⚡ 100M TPS Scalability & Gasless Transactions

With over 500 million unique active addresses, BNB Chain is focusing on mass adoption by increasing speed and reducing costs.

📌 2025 Scalability Goals:
✔️ 100 Million Transactions per Second (TPS)
✔️ Sub-Second Transaction Finality
✔️ Lower Gas Fees
✔️ Gasless Transactions for Specific Use Cases

The network’s move toward gasless transactions could make DeFi, NFTs, and gaming applications more user-friendly for mainstream adoption.

🔐 Tackling Security Threats: MEV Exploits & User Protection

MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) exploits have been a long-standing issue in the blockchain space. These exploits allow validators and miners to manipulate transaction orders for additional profits.

📌 Key MEV-related threats on BNB Chain:

• Front-running trades: Bots execute transactions ahead of users for profit.
• Sandwich attacks: Buying before a large transaction and selling after to manipulate prices.

In 2024 alone, BNB Chain users lost an estimated $1.5 billion to such attacks. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently addressed this issue, launching a poll on X (formerly Twitter) asking the community if BNB Chain should take stronger actions against MEV.

The 2025 roadmap prioritizes on-chain security, aiming to reduce manipulative trading tactics and provide a safer trading environment.

📈 Market Impact: BNB Price Surge & Growing Adoption

Following the Feb. 11 announcement of the 2025 roadmap, BNB Coin surged nearly 10%, reaching $627 before stabilizing.

BNB Chain’s rising adoption is reflected in its growing user base:
📊 500M+ unique active addresses recorded on Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
📊 Increased transaction volumes following the TST token launch (a test token used for tutorials on the Four.Meme platform)

🔮 What’s Next for BNB Chain?

BNB Chain’s AI-first strategy could redefine smart contract automation, transaction efficiency, and blockchain security. However, the next few months will be critical in testing how these upgrades translate into real-world improvements.

✅ Will AI-driven contracts revolutionize DeFi?
✅ Can BNB Chain truly achieve 100M TPS scalability?
✅ Will security measures effectively combat MEV exploits?

With Binance’s continued backing, BNB Chain remains one of the most ambitious blockchain networks to watch in 2025.

🚀 What are your thoughts on BNB Chain’s AI-driven roadmap? Will it change the future of blockchain? Share your views below! 💬

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dominate technological discourse, yet a major limitation hinders the rise of decentralized AI (DeAI): a lack of diverse, secure, and verifiable datasets. On-chain data remains primarily financial, failing to provide the rich variety necessary to train advanced AI models. This limitation risks allowing centralized AI giants to maintain dominance, leveraging their vast access to web-based data.

DeAI aims to democratize AI, ensuring transparency and decentralization, but its success hinges on addressing this data gap. Emerging cryptographic techniques may offer the key to unlocking the potential of DeAI.

The Data Dilemma: Centralized AI vs. Decentralized AI

The power of centralized AI stems from its insatiable data consumption. The more data these models ingest, the more refined and capable they become. However, this approach raises ethical concerns, as data is often collected without clear consent, sparking privacy and control debates.

DeAI, grounded in blockchain principles, presents a compelling alternative by prioritizing transparency. However, the primary data available on-chain revolves around financial transactions and decentralized finance (DeFi), limiting its applicability for training sophisticated AI models. Unlike centralized AI models that benefit from massive datasets such as Common Crawl and The Pile, DeAI remains constrained by a lack of extensive, high-quality data.

Reproducing the scale of web2 data on-chain is unfeasible in a competitive timeframe. While legal disputes around unauthorized data scraping persist, a viable solution exists: enhancing data security to facilitate wider on-chain integration.

Cryptographic Solutions: Unlocking Web2 Data for DeAI

Advanced cryptographic techniques provide a breakthrough. Two key innovations—zero-knowledge fully homomorphic encryption (zkFHE) and zero-knowledge TLS (zkTLS)—offer a secure pathway to integrate web2 data with DeAI while preserving privacy.

zkFHE: Enabling Secure AI Training

Zero-knowledge fully homomorphic encryption (zkFHE) allows computations on encrypted data without exposing its contents. This means AI models can train on sensitive datasets—such as medical records—without compromising user privacy. By leveraging zkFHE, DeAI can access vast, encrypted datasets, dramatically expanding its training capabilities without breaching confidentiality.

zkTLS: Securely Accessing Web2 Data

Zero-knowledge TLS (zkTLS) enhances online data security, enabling users to prove they possess specific web-based data—such as financial credentials or social media history—without revealing the actual information. This innovation is crucial for integrating web2’s wealth of information into DeAI models. For instance, a decentralized credit scoring system could utilize zkTLS to authenticate financial data from traditional banks without exposing sensitive details.

The Future of DeAI: Competing with Centralized Giants

By integrating zkFHE and zkTLS, DeAI can harness web2 data while upholding decentralization and privacy. This approach levels the playing field, allowing decentralized AI models to rival—and potentially surpass—centralized counterparts.

Consider large language models (LLMs), currently dominated by tech giants with access to vast text repositories. By utilizing zkTLS, DeAI developers can tap into publicly available web data in a privacy-preserving manner, fostering more democratic and transparent AI development.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its promise, implementing zkFHE and zkTLS presents technical challenges. These cryptographic techniques demand high computational power, necessitating advancements in both hardware and software. Moreover, standardization and interoperability are essential for widespread adoption.

However, the potential benefits outweigh the hurdles. Cryptographic solutions like zkFHE and zkTLS provide DeAI with the critical data it needs to flourish, ensuring a more balanced, democratic AI ecosystem.

Conclusion: A More Equitable AI Future

Data remains the lifeblood of AI innovation. By leveraging cryptographic breakthroughs, DeAI can bridge its data gap, ensuring a more decentralized, secure, and equitable AI future. The race for AI dominance is far from over, and embracing privacy-preserving technologies will be key to DeAI’s long-term success.

The CAR token skyrocketed in value, but deepfake warnings and a sudden website takedown have raised serious concerns about whether this is truly a government-backed initiative or an elaborate scam.

CAR Meme Coin: A Bold Move or a Deceptive Scam?

On February 10, the Central African Republic (CAR) made a surprising announcement regarding the launch of its own memecoin, CAR.

The declaration came directly from the official X account of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who described the project as an experiment aimed at uniting people, supporting national development, and putting CAR in the global spotlight.

“Today, we are launching $CAR—an experiment designed to show how something as simple as a meme can unite people, support national development, and put the Central African Republic on the world stage in a unique way,” posted Touadéra’s official X account on February 10.

He linked the initiative to the country’s previous pro-crypto stance, noting that he was the second world leader to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.

The Rapid Rise and Immediate Red Flags

The memecoin, launched on the Solana-based Pump.fun platform, initially saw an overwhelming market response. Within hours, its valuation surged as traders rushed to participate in what was seen as the first-ever national memecoin.

However, skepticism quickly followed. Deepfake allegations, website suspensions, and questionable domain registrations cast doubt on the legitimacy of the project.

Deepfake Concerns

Doubts about the authenticity of the CAR meme coin emerged when AI detection tools analyzed the president’s announcement video.

• One deepfake detection model, Seferbekov, found an 82% probability that the video was AI-generated.

• Another tool, Ensemble, also flagged it as suspicious.

• However, two other AI tools, Avatrify and Deepware’s checker, did not detect any manipulation.

Website and Social Media Takedowns Raise Eyebrows

The controversy deepened when the memecoin’s official X account, which was meant to provide project updates, was suspended without explanation. Hours later, the president’s X account acknowledged the suspension, stating they were working with X to restore it.

As scrutiny intensified, Yokai Ryujin, founder of UnrevealedXYZ, pointed out irregularities regarding how the CAR memecoin’s domain was registered.

• The domain car.meme was registered on "Namecheap," a budget-friendly domain provider, only three days before the announcement.

• Namecheap later suspended the website, confirming it had been flagged as an "abusive service."

Ryujin, who had warned about the project early on, posted on X that the takedown validated concerns.

“I tried to warn you about this from the start, and I’ll keep fighting for you,” he wrote, urging the crypto community to remain cautious.

Market Volatility and Growing Skepticism

Despite the concerns, the CAR token surged upon launch, reaching a peak valuation of $527 million. However, as of this writing on February 10, the token’s value has dropped to $460 million.

The timing of this controversy is crucial, as the crypto world has recently seen a spike in fraudulent meme coin launches.

Recent Scam Trends in the Crypto Space

• Just days ago, scammers hijacked the X accounts of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Solana DEX aggregator Jupiter to promote fraudulent memecoins.

• The tactics used—unexpected high-profile endorsements, rapid website takedowns, and sudden social media suspensions—are eerily similar to the CAR token incident.

Is CAR a Government-Backed Initiative or an Elaborate Scam?

At this stage, there is no clear confirmation on whether CAR is an official government-backed initiative or an elaborate scam.

Conclusion

While the idea of a government-backed meme coin is intriguing, the multiple red flags surrounding the CAR token raise serious doubts. Investors should proceed with caution until clear and verifiable information emerges regarding the legitimacy of this project.

Metaplanet has taken the Japanese stock market by storm, witnessing an astronomical 3,600% surge in the past year following its strategic pivot to Bitcoin. With 1,762 BTC in holdings and an ambitious goal of accumulating 21,000 BTC, the company has positioned itself as Asia’s leading Bitcoin-centric firm.

Metaplanet’s Transformation: From Hospitality to Bitcoin Giant

Originally a hotel development company, Metaplanet underwent a radical shift in early 2024 after the pandemic forced the closure of most of its properties. This pivot to a Bitcoin-first strategy has catapulted its stock to become Japan’s top-performing equity, attracting a wave of retail investors eager to gain Bitcoin exposure through traditional markets.

The surge coincided with a global shift in sentiment, as Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $109,000 on January 20, the day of US President Donald Trump’s inauguration. While Bitcoin has since stabilized around $97,000 as of February 10, Metaplanet’s stock continues its upward trajectory, reflecting sustained investor interest.

Metaplanet’s CEO and Strategy: The Michael Saylor of Japan?

CEO Simon Gerovich, a former Goldman Sachs equity derivatives trader, has drawn comparisons to Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin-heavy investment approach at MicroStrategy. Inspired by Saylor, Gerovich rebranded Metaplanet as Japan’s premier Bitcoin proxy, making long-term bets on BTC’s growth potential.

Investor Surge and Japan’s Tax-Free Stock Program

Metaplanet’s transformation has led to an unprecedented rise in its investor base, which grew by 500% in 2024, reaching nearly 50,000 shareholders. Institutional investors like Capital Group, which also holds shares in MicroStrategy, have shown interest, but the majority of shareholders remain retail investors with limited crypto experience.

A significant driver of this retail surge is Japan’s revamped Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) program, launched in early 2024 to promote long-term investment. This program allows Japanese citizens to invest in stocks tax-free, making Metaplanet an attractive alternative to direct Bitcoin purchases, which are subject to capital gains taxes as high as 55%.

Metaplanet’s Bold Expansion Plans

As of now, Metaplanet holds 1,762 BTC, valued at approximately $171 million. The company has set an ambitious roadmap to scale its Bitcoin reserves, aiming for 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025 and 21,000 BTC by 2026. To achieve this, it plans to issue 21 million shares, targeting a $750 million capital raise, marking Asia’s largest Bitcoin-focused equity funding initiative.

Beyond Bitcoin accumulation, Metaplanet is integrating its remaining hospitality business into its new identity. Later this year, the company will rebrand its last standing hotel, Royal Oak in Tokyo’s Gotanda district, as "The Bitcoin Hotel." This facility will serve as a center for Bitcoin-related seminars and investor events, solidifying Metaplanet’s role in Japan’s crypto ecosystem.

Risks and Market Volatility

Despite its record-breaking stock performance, Metaplanet faces inherent risks. The company has recorded six consecutive years of financial losses and is banking on Bitcoin’s continued appreciation to secure profitability. Analysts caution that a significant BTC price drop could lead to a sharp downturn in Metaplanet’s stock, given its heavy dependence on Bitcoin’s market performance.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Bitcoin Bet

Metaplanet’s remarkable growth underscores the rising appetite for Bitcoin-backed stocks, particularly in Japan. With an aggressive expansion plan, a growing retail investor base, and strategic Bitcoin accumulation, the company is poised to become a dominant player in Asia’s crypto-financial landscape. However, the success of this bold move hinges on Bitcoin’s price stability and continued institutional interest.

Ethereum ETFs See Unprecedented Weekly Inflows

In a remarkable shift in the crypto investment landscape, spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. have outperformed their Bitcoin counterparts over the past week. This surge comes amid heightened macroeconomic uncertainty fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s new trade tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada.

According to data from SoSoValue, the nine spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a total of $420.06 million in net inflows over the past week. This marks the first time Ethereum ETFs have surpassed Bitcoin ETFs in weekly inflows, highlighting a growing institutional interest in ETH-based investment products.

ETH ETF Inflows Skyrocket After Eric Trump’s Endorsement

The week starting February 3 witnessed a steady rise in Ethereum ETF investments, but the real momentum kicked in on February 6. ETH ETFs saw a staggering $307.77 million in inflows following a post from Eric Trump stating, “It’s a great time to add ETH.” This statement seemingly fueled investor enthusiasm, propelling Ethereum’s price by over 35% within 24 hours, from approximately $2,300 to above $2,900.

Breaking down the weekly inflows:

• Monday (Feb. 3): $83.54 million

• Tuesday (Feb. 6): $307.77 million

• Wednesday (Feb. 7): $18.1 million

• Thursday (Feb. 8): $10.7 million

• Friday (Feb. 9): No activity recorded

Institutional Preference for Ethereum Grows

Analysts at Coinbase attribute Ethereum’s ETF surge to an increasing preference for ETH in CME-basis trading over Bitcoin. This strategy involves taking long positions on spot Ethereum while shorting ETH futures to capitalize on price discrepancies. Last week, CME ETH trades generated an impressive 16% return, significantly outpacing Bitcoin’s 10% gains. This trend suggests that institutional investors are increasingly favoring Ethereum for its short-term profit potential.

As of press time, the total net inflows into Ethereum ETFs stood at $3.18 billion, showcasing an ongoing bullish sentiment in the ETH investment space. However, Ethereum’s price dipped slightly by 0.6%, currently trading at $2,646 per coin.

Bitcoin ETFs Experience Volatile Week Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Meanwhile, Bitcoin ETFs had a turbulent week, struggling to maintain investor confidence amid the U.S. trade policy shake-up. The 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs, which recently marked their first anniversary, saw mixed inflows and outflows throughout the week.

• Monday (Feb. 3): Investors withdrew $234.54 million amid trade tariff fears.

• Tuesday (Feb. 6): A recovery ensued with $340.82 million in inflows.

• Wednesday (Feb. 7): An additional $66.38 million flowed into Bitcoin ETFs.

• Thursday (Feb. 8): Investors pulled out $140.3 million.

• Friday (Feb. 9): A late-week rally brought in $171.19 million.

By the end of the week, Bitcoin ETFs had recorded total net inflows of $203.54 million—a significant drop of 63% compared to the previous week’s $559.84 million inflows.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was up 4.6% over the last seven days, trading at $97,150.

Conclusion: Ethereum ETFs Outperform Bitcoin Amid Market Uncertainty

The substantial inflows into Ethereum ETFs over Bitcoin ETFs mark a pivotal moment in the crypto market, reflecting changing investor sentiment and strategic institutional positioning. With Ethereum outperforming Bitcoin in CME-basis trading and growing ETF adoption, the market dynamics are shifting rapidly. Whether this trend sustains will depend on broader economic factors and further regulatory clarity in the crypto ETF space.