Pi Network is an app that allows you to mine cryptocurrency on your smartphone using blockchain technology. This app was released in March 2020 and currently has approximately 50 million registered users. However, the development and operation of this app incur significant costs. Therefore, the Pi Network core team solicited opinions from moderators and pioneers to secure funding sources. As a result, displaying advertisements was chosen as the most appropriate method. This article explains the background and mechanism of displaying advertisements.

Background of Advertising Display

The Pi Network core team determined that it was necessary to secure funding sources to address increasing server-related costs, core team expansion and development needs, and product, community, and operational needs. Therefore, in 2020, they solicited opinions from moderators and pioneers. Various opinions were submitted, but the main ones were as follows:

– Subscription model: A method that charges a monthly fee for using the app. This method has the advantage of providing stable income, but the disadvantage of potentially causing user churn and dissatisfaction.

– Paid rate increase: A method of paying a certain amount to increase mining speed. This method has the advantage of increasing users’ motivation to mine, but the disadvantage of creating a sense of unfairness and gambling.

– Donation solicitation: A method where users voluntarily provide funds. This method has the advantage of not compromising user freedom or trust, but the disadvantage of unstable or insufficient donation amounts.

– Sale of Pi to investors and the community: A method of selling Pi Network shares or unissued Pi to investors and the community. This method has the advantage of raising significant funds, but the disadvantage of potentially reducing the core team’s independence and the value of Pi.

As a result of considering the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, the core team chose to display advertisements. This is because displaying advertisements is legal, fair to everyone, and does not impose a financial burden. Furthermore, displaying advertisements within a free-to-use app is common, and ‘accessibility’ being a core value of Pi Network was also a reason.

Mechanism of Advertising Display

The mechanism for displaying advertisements in Pi Network is as follows:

– Advertisements are displayed on the app’s main screen, chat screen, etc. Advertisements are provided by Pi Network’s partner companies and the community.

– To turn off advertisements, you need to go to the app menu ‘Profile’ -> ‘Ads’ -> toggle to the right to ‘On’. When turned on, an explanation about advertisements will be displayed. If you want to turn it off, toggle it back to the left after viewing the explanation.

– If you turn off advertisements, they will turn back on after 24 hours. This specification is necessary to secure advertising revenue. If you want to keep advertisements off, you need to turn them on and view the explanation every day.

– Turning off advertisements does not affect mining speed or the value of Pi. Advertisements are necessary for the core team’s development and operation and do not harm user interests.

The above is an explanation of displaying advertisements in Pi Network. Displaying advertisements is a necessary funding source for the development of Pi Network. We ask for your understanding and cooperation regarding displaying advertisements. Pi Network will grow together with all users.