Kraken has just launched the first-ever perpetual futures for Pi Network’s PI token, offering a powerful new way for traders to gain exposure to the asset. Despite the buzz surrounding this major exchange debut, PI’s price has fallen 3.5% in the last 24 hours, now trading at $0.7821, highlighting growing concerns about its volatility and centralization.
Kraken Offers 20x Leverage for U.S. Traders
With the new perpetual futures contracts, users on Kraken Pro can now go long or short on Pi with up to 20x leverage. The contract supports over 360 markets and accepts 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 hold their positions indefinitely—though funding fees may apply based on market conditions. This listing is seen as a potential signal of growing institutional interest in Pi, despite its absence from top-tier exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.
Centralization and Privacy Issues Raise Red Flags
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 voiced serious concerns about the lack of transparency from the Pi Core Team, particularly regarding how user data is collected and used. He warns that this data could potentially be used for:
- AI training
- Identity theft
- Tracking users’ real-world movements
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 ecosystem improvements, including:
- Five new community apps integrated into the Pi Mainnet Ecosystem Interface
- A simplified account recovery process, aimed at boosting accessibility and user participation
These updates reflect ongoing efforts to enhance Pi’s utility and ecosystem engagement, though questions remain about transparency and market readiness.
Final Thoughts
Pi Network’s listing on Kraken’s futures platform marks a major milestone, giving the project more visibility and market tools for traders. However, the price slump, transparency concerns, and centralized token holdings may continue to weigh on sentiment. As institutional attention increases, the Pi Core Team’s next moves—especially regarding communication and decentralization—will be closely watched.
