Pi Network Launches $100M Fund, But Users Feel Ignored

Pi Network Ventures: A Big New Step

On May 14, the Pi Core Team revealed Pi Network Ventures, a brand-new $100 million investment program. This fund is set up to support startups and businesses that will help bring real-world use to the Pi cryptocurrency. The fund will be held in both Pi and U.S. dollars. The goal is to support different kinds of projects. Each project should help grow the Pi ecosystem.

The announcement was shared through the Pi Network app. Users can find more information about the program on the home screen. The Core Team described the launch as an important step. They hope it will speed up the creation of useful apps. They also want it to push adoption of Pi in everyday life.

The news didn’t sit well with many in the Pi Network community. A well-known crypto analyst named Dr. Altcoin shared strong criticism online. He said this move feels like a betrayal. According to him, the team is ignoring the years of support from its user base.

“We waited, we believed, and we contributed,” he wrote. He pointed out that Pi has been around for six years. Many believed that during that time, real DApps would be developed. Instead, the Core Team is now introducing a new fund to build those apps. He believes the value of the $100 million comes from the trust and effort of the community.

Source: X

Concerns About Fairness and Recognition

Another big concern is how little some Pioneers have earned. Dr. Altcoin mentioned that many users didn’t even receive 1,000 Pi tokens. This happened because the Core Team removed referral bonuses. Referral bonuses were a major part of how the network grew. Cutting them off left many feeling unrewarded.

Dr. Altcoin said the community’s work is being undervalued. The people who helped build the network feel forgotten. Many of them joined because they believed in the long-term promise of Pi. Now, they feel the rewards are going elsewhere. The new focus on large projects and external startups feels distant. It doesn't capture the network's original essence.

Pi Network didn’t grow like other crypto projects. It wasn’t pushed by big investors. It grew through word of mouth and user passion. Over 70 million people from more than 200 countries joined. These users—called Pioneers—shared the app, learned the system, and believed in the vision.

That’s why this shift feels heavy for many. They joined something they thought was different. Now, it feels more like a traditional investment model. The Core Team is taking a top-down approach. Many users hoped for something more balanced. They wanted to feel involved in the growth, not just watch it from the sidelines.

Source: X

Lack of Communication Adds to the Frustration

One of the most painful parts for many users is the silence. Dr. Altcoin said it clearly: “The silence from the Core Team is deafening.” People want answers. They want to know how this new move will include them. Right now, there is little clarity.

It is not acceptable to treat pioneers like mere users. They aspire to be regarded as Pi Network's central hub. From day one, they contributed to its growth. Their assistance laid the groundwork. Nowadays, many believe their function is being eliminated. The lack of direct updates from the Core Team simply exacerbates the situation.

Pi Network Ventures' debut demonstrates the Core Team's lofty objectives. However, the future requires attention. The core of Pi is the community. The network becomes meaningless without it. Trust is difficult to regain when it has been lost.

If the Core Team wants the fund to succeed, they may need to reconnect with the people who helped get them this far. Listening more. Sharing more. Including more. That could bring the spark back. Right now, many are still waiting.