1. Regulatory Crackdown: Chinese Authorities Uncover Alleged Fraud
In February 2025, China's Ministry of Public Security launched a large-scale investigation into what it calls the world’s largest “air coin” scheme. Authorities froze 18,000 accounts linked to the case, arrested 37 key promoters, and identified illicit funds exceeding ¥23 billion. A leading Pi Coin promoter’s residence reportedly contained large stacks of cash, while their garage housed multiple Rolls-Royce vehicles—all allegedly purchased with funds from the scheme.
Judicial Review Confirms Centralization
The Shanghai Blockchain Judicial Appraisal Center published a report revealing that Pi Coin’s mainnet is a centralized database hosted on Alibaba Cloud, with a 91% plagiarism rate. Investigators also found that transaction records could be altered at will, further undermining its legitimacy.
2. Unmasking the Pi Coin Pyramid Scheme
🔺 Top Level: The "Stanford PhD" Illusion
Founder Nicolas Kokkalis is alleged to have exited the project long ago, with his official website image traced back to a 2015 academic event.
The technical white paper was reportedly plagiarized from Cardano, Polkadot, and other public blockchain projects, with key sections generated by AI.
📈 Mid Level: Recruitment Profits & High Commissions
Pi Coin promoters allegedly earned commissions of up to 32% for recruiting new members.
Reports claim that a housewife in a third-tier city earned ¥800,000 per month solely from recruitment.
A "brainwashing script library" containing 478 entries was used to promote the project, including phrases like "Not mining Pi means giving up financial freedom."
💰 Bottom Level: The Heavy Cost for Ordinary Users
Reports suggest 60% of Pi Coin users are over 50 years old, with some even mortgaging their homes to acquire Pi accounts.
One retired teacher in Hebei allegedly invested ¥380,000 of retirement savings, only to see their account balance drop to zero.
3. Exposing the Technical Illusions of Pi Coin
🔍 Blockchain or Fake Chain?
Pi Coin’s transaction processing speed (TPS) is just 7, less than 1/10th of Bitcoin's capacity.
Blockchain analysis revealed that 73% of nodes are controlled by the same IP segment, suggesting heavy centralization.
⛏ Mining or Just a Timer?
Pi Coin’s mobile mining mechanism was reportedly reverse-engineered, revealing that mining is simply triggered by a timer rather than real computational work.
Developers allegedly had backend access to modify users' computing power parameters at will.
💸 Fund Scheme Evidence
On-chain data shows early developers’ wallets were actively selling off Pi Coin, with one address reportedly transferring out 23,000 ETH in a single month.
Allegations suggest that funds were used to purchase a 47-story office tower in Dubai, labeled the "Pi Global Ecological Center."
4. The Evolution of Crypto Ponzi Schemes: From Five Elements Coin to Pi Coin
📜 Recycled Scams, New Branding
2017: Five Elements Coin – Marketed as a "national secret project."
2021: Pi Coin – Framed as a "Stanford blockchain revolution."
The core strategy remains the same: recruitment-based rewards, promises of high returns, and misleading endorsements.
🎯 Targeting the Middle-Aged & Elderly
Square Dance Marketing: Advertisements played through loudspeakers at community dance gatherings in 300 cities.
"Health Seminar" Tactics: Free giveaways (e.g., eggs and cooking oil) used to entice attendees, who were then encouraged to download the Pi mining app.
5. How to Identify the Next Pi Coin
🚨 Warning Signs of a Ponzi Crypto Scheme
No functional product, no transparency – No open-source code (Pi Coin’s GitHub repository hasn’t been updated since 2020).
No third-party audits – No technical security reviews (legitimate projects typically undergo CertiK audits).
No real blockchain activity – Always check the block explorer for on-chain transactions.
📌 The Six Hallmarks of a Pyramid Scheme
✅ Promises of “Zero-Cost Wealth”
✅ Requires downline recruitment
✅ Claims of "Government Backing"
✅ Censorship of dissent within the community
✅ Hosted on overseas servers to avoid regulation
✅ Founder’s background is vague or unverifiable
The Future of Crypto Scams: What Comes Next?
The collapse of Pi Coin may not be the end—it could be just the beginning of more sophisticated crypto Ponzi schemes. With AI-generated white papers and metaverse-based pyramid structures, the next wave of scams could be even harder to detect.
Stay vigilant. Stay informed. Don’t fall for the next big illusion.
#Cryptoscam #picoin #ponzischeme #BlockchainFraud #PiNetwork