Quick Takeaways
- WorkforcePool, Pi Network’s first Hackathon winner, announced it is up for sale.
- Developers blame high operational costs and delays in Pi Network’s mainnet rollout.
- Community frustration grows as Pi Network faces criticism over centralization and lack of developer support.
First Pi Network Hackathon Winner WorkforcePool Up for Sale, Raises Developer Concerns
WorkforcePool, the first winner of the Pi Network Hackathon and the ecosystem’s first freelance marketplace, announced it is up for sale on November 4, 2025. The move has reignited debate over the sustainability of development within the Pi Network ecosystem.
A Major Setback for Pi Network Developers
WorkforcePool once stood out as a fashion model of a winner for Pi Network developers. The platform, designed as a Pi-power freelance marketplace, proposes to connect freelancers and employers through blockchain-based payments.
However, its determination to seek new ownership results in a loss. In a public post, WorkforcePool’s team cited operational costs and ecosystem stagnation as core reasons behind the sale.
Community members expressed disappointment. “This sends a negative message to current and future Pi developers,” wrote user WoodyLightyearx, reflecting the community’s sentiment.
Developer Frustration Over Ecosystem Stagnation
The sale highlights deeper challenges across the Pi Network’s developer ecosystem. Many builders face rising costs from hosting and salaries to marketing, without adequate ecosystem progress.
Community advocate Mahidhar Crypto shared his frustration, writing that developers are losing hope due to the slow pace of mainnet progress. He emphasized that the Pi Core Team must “move faster” to prevent more projects from collapsing.
Although Pi Network’s December 2024 update claimed over 8 million users migrated to the mainnet, the promised Open Mainnet launch in Q1 2025 has yet to bring relief for struggling developers.
Centralization and Leadership Concerns
Several developers have vocalized vexation about Pi Network’s centralised structure and modified communication from the Pi Core Team.
One community member, Pinetworkmember, argued that the founders focus more on promotion than developer support.
He pointed to high platform fees, poor coordination, and lack of incentives as reasons gifted developers are entrusted. This, he discourages, could reduce both Pi token utility and ecosystem growth.
While the 2025 Pi Hackathon awards 160,000 Pi tokens to brace new dApps, many argue that token rewards alone cannot prepare for long-term sustainability issues.
The Broader Message for the Pi Ecosystem
WorkforcePool’s exit is more than a business move; it’s a wake-up call for the Pi Network. As the first Hackathon winner, its sale underscores the urgent need for better developer support, financial assistance, and clearer communication. If the Pi Core Team hopes to sustain innovation, it must prioritize decentralization and accelerate mainnet execution.
Otherwise, even its most celebrated projects may struggle to survive.
