A US investor has filed a lawsuit against SocialChain Inc., Pi Community Company, and Pi Network executives, alleging a multi-year fraud scheme that caused him losses exceeding $2 million. The complaint was filed on October 24, 2025, in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
The investor, Harro Moen from Arizona, claims that unauthorized transfers of 5,137 Pi tokens from his verified wallet in April 2024, combined with delays in migrating his remaining 1,403 tokens to the Pi Network mainnet, led to significant losses.
He calculated the losses based on the peak market valuation of Pi tokens in 2022, though some community members said that the $307.49 figure cited in the suit reflects the IOU value before the mainnet launch and not open market value.
The lawsuit alleges that SocialChain and its executives conducted secret sales of about 2 billion Pi tokens and maintained centralized control over the network through three validator nodes. According to the complaint, these actions contributed to the dramatic decline in token value, from the IOU figure to around $1.67, and affected millions of users worldwide across 190 countries. The suit seeks $10 million in damages.
Ongoing Concerns and Criticism
The case shows long-standing concerns about Pi Network, including:
- Centralized control over token issuance and wallets
- Lack of transparency in token economics
- Closed network transaction limits
Regulatory Warnings in China
Chinese financial authorities, including the China Futures Association, China Internet Finance Association, China Banking Association, and China Securities Association, have warned that virtual assets and stablecoins are not legal tender. They cited Pi Coin as an example of a token without real-world use, stating that such assets can be used for illegal fundraising, pyramid schemes, or transferring proceeds from crime.
Pi Network now faces combined legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. The outcome of the US lawsuit, along with ongoing scrutiny from Chinese authorities, could shape the future of the network and influence how regulators approach community-driven crypto projects.
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FAQs
A US investor sued Pi Network and SocialChain, alleging a $2M+ loss from unauthorized token transfers and secret sales of Pi coins.
Harro Moen from Arizona filed the lawsuit, claiming lost Pi tokens and damages due to the network’s centralized control and token sales.
The case may impact token value, network trust, and regulatory scrutiny, influencing Pi Network’s future and operations worldwide.
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