The Pi Network .pi Domains Auction period concluded on September 30, 2025, marking a milestone for this platform-level utility within the ecosystem. Pioneers can look forward to a structured process to claim the domains that ensures domains are used for genuine purposes including online applications and commerce, while minimizing the risk of malicious hoarding.
Auction Closure Timeline
All domain auctions officially ended on September 30th. After this date:
- No new bids will be accepted.
- However, if a domain receives a bid within the last 24 hours of the auction, the bidding window for that domain will automatically extend for 24 hours.
- If another bid occurs in the extended window, it will extend for an additional 24 hours, and so on.
This rolling extension mechanism is as defined in the original Auction rules, and it ensures fairness for all Pioneers actively participating. At the close of the specific domain auctions, winning Pioneers will secure their bids for the domains they pursued.
Process of Claiming Domains
Following the conclusion of the auctions, there will be a data review phase of approximately two months. This step is essential for confirming auction outcomes and preparing for the domain claim process.
After the review period, eligible winners can start claiming their domains. To ensure .pi domains are used for the positive progress of the ecosystem and to prevent unfair hoarding at low costs that inhibit future legitimate projects from having their domains, the claiming process (at least in the initial period) is as follows:
- Domain winners need to fulfill the following to successfully claim a domain:
- Connect a Pi app intended for the domain.
- The connected Pi app needs to have a threshold of organic usage. More details on reaching this threshold will be provided after the review period concludes.
- For example, this process for merchants’ use cases includes linking their store website URL, connecting the wallet used for transactions. and writing a brief description of how the domain supports utility.
- Pioneers will have up to one year from the commencement of the claiming process to complete the above requirements to claim their domains. This allows time for auction winners who are genuine builders and businesses to complete the requirements and claim their domains.
Note that the criteria for eligibility to claim a domain may be loosened or subject to change in the future.
This approach ensures domains are connected to, and remain available for, real applications, merchants, and use cases within the ecosystem.
Renewals and Safeguards
One year after the claim feature is released, domains will require renewal, much like traditional domain registrations outside of Pi. To prevent domain squatting, renewals will also be contingent on the similar criteria above. For example, applications will need to demonstrate real utility and usage, and merchants may be required to meet minimum wallet transaction counts.
Prioritizing Real Use Cases
The claim process will initially prioritize three categories:
- Applications from developers
- Applications built through Pi App Studio that gain some traction
- Merchants requiring an online presence
These groups present the most straightforward path to immediate utility. The broader goal is clear: to prevent low-cost, large-scale hoarding of domains so that meaningful use cases and applications can thrive.
Domains are an important collective resource of the Pi ecosystem and their rightful use is important in strengthening Pi’s ecosystem, giving Pioneers the tools to build, connect, and transact with greater trust and functionality.
