- Pi Network builds a user-friendly cryptocurrency platform focused on trust and global participation, led by Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis and Dr. Chengdiao Fan.
- Despite some challenges and delays, the project continues developing features to create an inclusive blockchain ecosystem.
Pi Network has drawn significant attention in the crypto space as a novel platform that lets users earn free cryptocurrency through a simple mobile app. But who are the people behind this ambitious project? Understanding the founders reveals much about Pi Network’s vision and challenges.
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The Visionary Minds Behind Pi Network: Kokkalis and Fan
Pi Network was created by three individuals: Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, Dr. Chengdiao Fan, and Vincent McPhillip (who left in early 2021). The two central figures still leading the project are Kokkalis and Fan.
Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis is often seen as the “soul” of Pi Network. He brings a rich academic background with a PhD from Stanford University and expertise in decentralized applications, distributed systems, and human-computer interaction. Before Pi, Kokkalis co-founded Gameyola, a successful online gaming platform, and served as CTO of StartX, a Stanford startup accelerator that expanded into blockchain projects. Notably, he mentored Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin on smart contracts.
Kokkalis’s goal with Pi Network is to move blockchain beyond its current technical and social limitations by focusing on a user-centric design that empowers individuals to create and build a new digital economy. Despite this, Kokkalis maintains a very private profile, rarely appearing in public or on social media, emphasizing trust and identity verification as the cornerstones for blockchain success.
Dr. Chengdiao Fan complements Kokkalis’s technical leadership with her background in anthropology and human behavior. Also a Stanford graduate, she focuses on optimizing human-computer interaction and building an inclusive ecosystem where global users contribute and benefit from the platform. Fan’s work aims to mobilize users worldwide, fostering participation and rewarding contributions in a way that captures individual agency.
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The Controversy Around McPhillip
Vincent McPhillip, the former community engagement lead, played an important early role in building Pi Network’s community. With a political science background from Yale, he co-founded the Stanford Blockchain Collective before joining Pi. McPhillip ended his relationship with the project and filed a lawsuit in 2020, accusing Kokkalis and Fan of unfair removal and internal conflicts. The lawsuit settled quietly in 2023, and McPhillip has since launched a new crypto venture.
Pi Network’s Current State and Future
Launched as a mobile app that allows users to earn Pi tokens daily, the project has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. Although Pi entered its open network phase in early 2025—enabling transfers and trading—many in the crypto community still view it as incomplete due to missing features like smart contracts and fully open-source code.
Recent updates have introduced features like domain auctions and a shopping platform called PiFest, signaling progress but also underscoring that the platform remains a work in progress.
Pi Network’s story is one of innovation, academic rigor, and community-building — driven by founders who blend technology, anthropology, and social vision. While challenges remain, the project’s focus on user empowerment and trust might yet redefine how everyday people interact with cryptocurrency in the future.
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