First Pi Network Hackathon Winner WorkforcePool Up for Sale, Raises Developer Concerns

WorkforcePool, the first winner of the Pi Network Hackathon and the initial freelance marketplace built on the Pi blockchain, is up for sale. This move highlights growing sustainability challenges for developers in the Pi Network ecosystem.

The November 4, 2025 announcement has unsettled the Pi developer community. It raises serious questions about the platform’s viability for builders.

A Symbolic Loss for Pi Network Developers

WorkforcePool was a leading example of innovation on the Pi Network. As the first-place winner of the Pi Hackathon, it inspired many to develop decentralized applications.

The platform aimed to be a freelance marketplace, similar to a Pi-powered Fiverr, solving real-world needs via blockchain.

Yet, the team is seeking new ownership due to operational strains. In a November 4 post, WorkforcePool invited serious buyers to submit offers. This announcement marked a turning point for a previously flagship Pi project

The move has sparked disappointment and worry. WoodyLightyearx, a Pi community member, shared that WorkforcePool’s sale sends negative signals to both current and future developers.

For years, the project served as proof that building user-focused, sustainable applications on Pi Network was achievable. Its exit now suggests otherwise.

Developer Frustration Over Ecosystem Stagnation

WorkforcePool’s sale reflects broader issues in the Pi developer ecosystem. Challenges include increasing operational costs. Among these are domain fees, server costs, employee salaries, and user growth. At the same time, delays in mainnet progress have caused many projects to struggle.

Mahidhar_Crypto, a known community advocate, reflected on the strain developers face. In a post on November 4, he highlighted the financial toll and expressed concern that, without faster action from the Pi Core Team, more dApps could shut down.

“Developers are under tremendous pressure to bear operational costs due to the huge delay in ecosystem progress. Service costs, domain costs, employee maintenance, financial strain, and failed user acquisition are breaking their spirit. @PiCoreTeam should move faster, real builders are losing hope waiting for mainnet clarity and ecosystem execution,” wrote Mahidhar.

The sentiment mirrors growing frustration within the Pi developer community. Many are passionate, but the lack of platform momentum creates an unsustainable environment.

A December 2024 update from the Pi Network blog said over 8 million users had migrated to mainnet, with Open Mainnet expected in Q1 2025. Yet, developers argue the pace is too slow for sustainable growth.

Centralization and Leadership Concerns

Beyond operational difficulties, developers have criticized the network for being too centralized. Pinetworkmember, a prominent voice, argued that founders pay little attention to the developers, crucial to the project’s future.

He emphasized the challenging developer environment, pointing to harsh communication and unsustainable pricing as hurdles.

He also noted the departure of developers, warning this trend reduces Pi token demand and utility. While community engagement remains strong, losing builders poses a threat tothat the network’s long-term stability.

These critiques reveal a disconnect between Pi Core Team updates and the realities of developers.

Pi Network tried to address some concerns with initiatives such as the 2025 Pi Hackathon, which awarded 160,000 Pi tokens to spur dApp development.

However, these measures have not fully addressed calls for sustainability, operational support, or further decentralization.

The sale of WorkforcePool raises doubts about the future for Pi Network developers. As the first Hackathon winner, its departure is symbolic, showing that even the most celebrated projects can struggle.

To attract and retain talent, Pi Network must address the systemic issues causing projects to leave. Whether the Pi Core Team can accelerate mainnet execution, provide stronger developer support, or decentralize decision-making is uncertain.