Pi Network ecosystem explodes! 215 applications flood into the mainnet during the hackathon

Pi Network announces the winners of the 2025 Hackathon this week, marking the first global competition held since the launch of the open network, with over 215 mainnet applications submitted. The top winner Blind_Lounge is a privacy-first social app that requires minimal Pi fees to reduce spam and ensure KYC verification participation.

From Mining to Applications: Pi Network’s Strategic Turning Point

(Source: Pi Network Official Website)

The Pi Network Hackathon received 215 mainnet application submissions, which is a milestone in itself. Before the open network launched, Pi Network faced long-standing skepticism that it was “only mineable but not usable,” with many critics claiming it was a project without practical use. However, the emergence of 215 applications demonstrates that the developer community has shown rapid and genuine interest in Pi Network.

These applications span various fields including privacy protection, retail rewards, entertainment, and social tools, showcasing how Pi Network’s open network can drive developers to design real-world use cases. More importantly, these projects utilize core functionalities such as user authentication, Pi payments, and seamless on-chain connectivity, indicating that Pi Network’s infrastructure has matured enough to support real commercial applications.

In terms of quantity, 215 applications were submitted in a short period, far surpassing the early performance of many emerging public chains. Compared to other blockchain projects, many still only have a handful of dApps months after mainnet launch, while Pi Network reached triple digits in application submissions during its first Hackathon, demonstrating its large user base transforming into developer momentum.

Three Award-Winning Applications with Innovative Business Models

Blind_Lounge won the top prize, with innovation not only in privacy protection but also in cleverly integrating Pi tokens into core functions. The app allows users to connect anonymously, revealing identities only when both parties agree, removing the pressure of sharing personal information prematurely. The key design is that users need to pay a small amount of Pi to establish a profile, an effective mechanism to reduce spam and maintain community authenticity.

Even more, Blind_Lounge only allows participation through KYC-verified pioneer users, adding an extra layer of trust. The developer’s goal is to create a reliable social space where fake accounts and misinformation are less common. This model of combining token payments with identity verification provides a replicable template for the Pi Network ecosystem.

Starmax ranks second, with its loyalty program connecting Pi-friendly merchants and consumers. Pi users can earn rewards at participating stores, while merchants can design customized rewards directly within the app. This concept aligns with Pi Network’s practical application strategy, helping small businesses attract repeat customers and enabling Pi users to discover real-life use cases for Pi. This B2C model creates genuine demand scenarios for Pi tokens.

Run For Pi, with its fast-paced parkour gameplay, ranks third by directly utilizing Pi network to implement in-game buffs, competitions, and prize pools. The gameplay is simple and accessible, but its economic system based on Pi gives it unique appeal. Players can compete on leaderboards and unlock items using Pi, forming an engaging cycle that maintains high user participation. This GameFi approach demonstrates Pi’s potential in entertainment applications.

Three Innovative Directions for Pi Network Ecosystem Applications

Anti-Spam Mechanism: Blind_Lounge filters bots using Pi fees, proving that token payments can serve as a threshold rather than just a transaction tool.

Offline Business Integration: Starmax brings Pi into physical store loyalty programs, bridging virtual and real-world value flow.

In-Game Economy Cycle: Run For Pi uses Pi to drive game rewards, making tokens a motivation for players rather than speculative assets.

Future Development Path of Mainnet Ecosystem

Pi Network also recognized five additional teams: Kindrek, Workflet for Pi, PallyPay, SimpleJoy, and Agora Pulse. Each app focuses on practical features, covering matchmaking, workplace collaboration, bill splitting, browser-based games, and community voting. As many of these applications are now live on the Pi Browser, pioneer users can explore new tools, test early features, and provide feedback during developers’ iteration processes.

Such high engagement and strong mainnet momentum indicate that the community is eager to grow. The success of the Hackathon is not only a victory for a competition but also a landmark event marking Pi Network’s transition from the “mining stage” to the “application stage.” The submission of 215 applications proves that developers recognize the commercial potential of Pi Network’s large user base, rather than just viewing it as another blockchain experiment.

With more applications launching every month, Pi Network’s ecosystem is entering a truly practical new phase. In the coming months, market attention will focus on these applications’ actual usage data: how many pioneer users are actively using these apps? How fast is Pi circulating within these applications? Are merchants’ acceptance rates increasing? These metrics will determine whether Pi Network can move from “concept” to a “sustainable blockchain ecosystem.”