Kraken Launches PI Perpetual Futures with 20x Leverage, Expanding Access for U.S. Traders

Pi Network faces criticism over centralization and data privacy, raising concerns despite ecosystem upgrades and market expansion.

Kraken has just launched the first-ever perpetual futures for Pi Network’s (PI) token, providing a new way for traders to gain exposure to the asset. However, despite the buzz surrounding this major exchange debut, PI’s price has slid 3.5% in the last 24 hours, now changing hands at $0.7821.

This downturn may be linked to growing concerns over the project’s token distribution and data privacy practices, even as Pi Network unveils new ecosystem updates and expands its market presence.

Kraken Unveils Pi Futures With 20x Leverage

Kraken Pro users can now go long or short on Pi with up to 20x leverage through the new perpetual futures contracts. These contracts, part of Kraken Pro’s expanding derivatives offering, support over 360 markets and accept more than 40 different collateral options.

This move makes it easier than ever for U.S. traders to access Pi futures without additional regulatory or platform hurdles. Unlike traditional futures, perpetual contracts do not expire, allowing traders to keep their positions open indefinitely—though funding fees may apply based on market conditions.

The listing is seen as a potential signal of growing institutional interest in Pi, despite its notable absence from top-tier exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.

Centralization And Privacy Issues In Focus

Despite development efforts, Pi Network continues to face criticism over its token distribution and privacy practices. Currently, about 60% of the total PI supply is still controlled by the core team.

Dr. Altcoin, a prominent supporter of the project, has raised concerns over the lack of transparency from the Pi Core Team, especially regarding user data. He highlights how this data could be used for:

Without proper disclosure, he believes user trust and data privacy remain at serious risk.

New Ecosystem Updates From Pi Network

Amid these controversies, Pi Network has introduced several updates to its ecosystem, including:

These updates highlight ongoing efforts to enhance Pi’s utility and ecosystem engagement, even as questions about transparency and market readiness remain.

Final Thoughts

Pi Network’s addition to Kraken’s futures platform is a major milestone, providing the project with more visibility and equipping traders with new market tools. However, the price slump, transparency concerns, and centralized token holdings may continue to exert pressure on sentiment.

As institutional attention intensifies, the Pi Core Team’s next steps—especially in communication and decentralization—will be closely observed.