How to Buy Pi Network (PI) Without Joining the Mining Program

Pi Network (PI) is a layer-1 blockchain centered around mobile-based mining that offers low fees and support for decentralized applications (dApps).

Pi Network (PI) is a layer-1 blockchain that supports decentralized and immutable digital money. It implements the Stellar Consensus Protocol mechanism to validate transactions, which speeds up the process and keeps fees low. The network can handle up to 70,000 transactions per second.

After a long wait, the token generation event (TGE) took place on February 9, 2025, with the PI token being listed on several exchanges, including MEXC, OKX, and Gate.io. The launch was met with hype and anticipation from the crypto community, who had been following the project's progress closely.

As the dust settles, we take a look at the PI price, where to buy it, and what the token is used for.

How to Buy Pi Network in 4 Easy Steps

Follow these steps when exploring how to buy Pi Network coin:

Key Takeaways on Pi Network

Summarized below are some of Pi Network’s fundamentals:

How to Buy PI Network – Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a more extensive walkthrough on how to buy PI in 2025. Follow these steps to invest in the Pi Network ecosystem in under five minutes.

Step 1: Create an Exchange Account

Pi Network is listed on the best crypto exchanges, including MEXC, OKX, Gate.io, and Bitget, where users can buy and trade PI. These exchanges offer a convenient and secure trading experience, although MEXC is the standout platform.

MEXC offers anonymous trading accounts, commissions from 0%, and support for traditional payment methods. Its PI/USDT market attracts deep liquidity, too, so you can trade without facing unfavorable slippage levels.

Visit the MEXC website to open an account. Choose between an email address or a mobile number as the identifier and enter a strong password. MEXC offers multiple features for account security, including two-factor authentication (2FA), email confirmations, and device whitelisting. Activate these safety measures within your MEXEX account.

Visit MEXC

Step 2: Purchase USDT With Fiat Money

MEXC offers the PI/USDT market like most crypto exchanges – this means you need USDT tokens to invest in the Pi Network. You can deposit USDT into the MEXC account by making a wallet transfer. The exchange credits crypto payments nearly instantly.

Those without USDT can use MEXC’s fiat gateway service. The platform supports multiple payment methods, including Visa and MasterCard to Google Pay and Neteller.

Click “Buy Crypto” and complete the purchase form, including the currency, amount, and preferred deposit type. Ensure USDT is selected as the receiving currency and enter the payment details when prompted.

The exchange adds USDT to the account balance a few seconds after processing the payment.

Note: Transaction fees are built into the quoted exchange rate, which varies based on the currency and payment method.

Step 3: Search for PI and Choose an Order Type

Once you’ve got some USDT tokens in your MEXC account, the next step is to swap them for PI. Click “Markets” and search for “PI” market, then select the “PI/USDT” market.

The order form to buy PI is situated to the right of the pricing chart. MEXC supports market and limit orders – here’s how they work:

A market order fills at the best available price in the market. For example, if the best bid price is $0.75 and the best ask price is $0.76, the order will be filled at either of these prices.

A limit order is placed at a specific price or better. If the order is to sell, it will only be filled at the set price or higher. If the order is to buy, it will only be filled at the set price or lower.

MEXC charges 0.050% on market orders while limit orders are commission-free.

Step 4: Buy Pi Network

Select one of the order types and enter the number of USDT tokens to swap for PI. If you bought USDT specifically to invest in the Pi Network, move the exchange slider to 100% – this means you’re using the entire USDT balance to buy PI.

Place the order and wait for the exchange to execute it. While market orders confirm nearly instantly, limit orders remain pending until the price matches.

Note: PI tokens appear in the MEXC account when the trade is complete. It’s advisable to withdraw them to a non-custodial wallet to eliminate counterparty risks. We discuss Pi Network wallets later in this guide.

What Is Pi Network (PI)?

Founded in 2019, Pi Network is a layer-1 blockchain that supports decentralized and immutable digital money. It’s also capable of executing decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and other Web 3.0 use cases.

The Stellar Consensus Protocol keeps transactions fast and efficient, with an average speed of five