In this article, we’ll show you how to go about your KYC on the Pi Network. Also, we’ll show you the things to expect, documents you’re required to provide, how to know if your application is successful and how to be a validator. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Pi Bible and the Pi Core Team.

Introduction

People can say a lot of things about the Pi Network. 

However, no one can say the Pi Core Team (PCT) hasn’t been thorough in all they do. 

Starting from their processes, to their product design, down to the community they created etc. Everything has been close to perfect so far.  

Most importantly, their resourcefulness is evident in their KYC solution. 

The PCT developed one of the largest scalable KYC solutions in the world using community members. And the best part is that it supports every country on the Pi Network. 

Also, they made sure Pioneers did not pay a dime in fiat to get verified. 

Which, in my opinion, is an outstanding feat considering the fact that there are 33 million+ members on the network

One of the major reasons for KYC is to separate fake accounts from real accounts and to build a robust blockchain ecosystem.

In addition, remember that the enclosed mainnet period is a buffer for you to do your KYC. 

This way, you can migrate your Pi tokens to your wallet in the mainnet phase. 

At this point, I want to believe you’ve completed your mainnet checklist. If you haven’t, you can read a guide on how to do it here.

Without further ado, let’s jump right in. 

What is KYC?

If your are not familiar with the term, KYC means Know Your Customer or Client. 

This check is often mandatory and it is used to identify and verify the identity of any customer or client before opening an account. 

In other words, Pi carries out this verification to ensure Pioneers are who they claim to be. 

Is Pi’s KYC Safe? 

To some, especially crypto faithfuls, they believe Pi’s KYC protocol breaches the principle of anonymity of all crypto. 

However, the case is a little different for the Pi network. 

First, the Pi Core Team has to ensure that every Pi mined goes to the genuine users. 

Without KYC, identity theft will be rampant and the real Pioneers will be left in the lurch. 

Also, the Core Team has mechanisms in place to ensure that Pioneer’s data are safe and does not fall into the hands of 3rd party agents or people with malicious intentions. 

How to complete your KYC 

Check for KYC eligibility

The first step is to check if you are eligible for KYC. 

If you’re lucky, you will get a KYC notification like this.

If you get this notification, 

• Tap “Open Pi Browser” to start

If you don’t get this notification, there are other ways for you to check for eligibility. 

• From your home screen, navigate to your Pi Browser 
• Tap “kyc.pi“

If you are eligible, you’ll see a page requesting permissions like this, 

• Tap “Allow“

If you don’t get the above notification, you’ll get the one below. 

However, if you aren’t eligible, kindly exercise patience, as you’ll get a slot as soon as possible. 

If you have been selected for KYC, a hearty congratulations to you. 

You’re almost at the promise land, so let me help you get there. 

Let me show you how;

Validate your identity

On the KYC welcome page;

• Select the country on your ID to start, 
• In the next section, you can either search and add your country of location or tap the dropdown and scroll to the country on your ID. 

After choosing your country, you need to select your ID type. 

Note: The ID type on the dropdown varies for each country. For this guide, ID presented here is peculiar to Nigeria, Africa.

• In this regard, tap the dropdown and choose the appropriate ID you want to KYC with. 

Data collection during KYC

• Next, tap the two checkboxes to give Pi Network consent to collect your data and to confirm your age. 

• When you tap the first checkbox – i.e. the consent checkbox – a data collection consent page will pop up.

I advise you read everything carefully. 

• Once you’re satisfied with the terms and conditions, tap “I agree“

• Next, tap the following checkbox to confirm you’re above 18 years, as stated on your ID

• If you want to read more about the KYC process, tap on “Learn more” A popup will appear providing more information about the vision of Pi Network. 

• If you are satisfied with the terms and conditions, proceed by tapping “Let’s go“

The estimated completion time for the entire KYC process is 5 minutes. 

In addition, you’ll pay 1 Pi as a fee for using the KYC solution. This charge will apply when you move your Pi to mainnet. 

What you need for KYC

Some documents you’ll need are: 

• A picture of your means of identification.
• You’ll have to fill out a form that matches the information on your ID.
• You’ll have to confirm your identity matches what’s on your ID card. 

Follow the next prompt. It will lead you to a page where you’ll have to take a portrait picture of your ID

Ensure you follow the rules on how to take the perfect ID picture. Keep in mind that a bad picture may negatively affect your verification.

• To proceed, tap “I’m ready“

After tapping “I’m ready” you have to set permission requirements to allow Pi Browser to access your pictures and record video on your phones. 

• Tap “Allow” when the Pi Browser popup asks for permission to take pictures and record video on your mobile. 

Take a photo of your ID

This is a very important phase of your KYC process, so make sure it’s perfect. 

• Tap the “Add front photo” button to take a picture of the front page of your ID. 

Note: To verify some IDs, you need to take a front and back photo of it. While for some, you just have to take a front photo only. This largely depends on the kind of ID you are submitting.  

Fill out your personal details

On this page, you’ll have to enter your personal details, like your name, address, date of birth and other vital details as seen on your ID. 

Ensure you enter each data in the exact language that’s on your ID. 

• Make sure you fill out the details correctly and tap “Next step” 

Liveness Check

The next step is to perform a liveness check. 

This requires you take a live video of yourself, to confirm your identity matches what is on your ID. 

• Once you tap “I’m ready,” follow the instructions on the screen, stay in a well-lit place and ensure your face is fully visible before you proceed.

The next page will take you to the liveness text. 

• Tap “Start recording,”

Note that the app will not record any audio during this process. 

Once you start recording, the app will automatically take your video and it’ll take you to a confirmation page. 

On this page, you have to go through (and confirm) every detail you entered previously. 

When you are sure everything is correct

• Tap “Next“

Application review

The next phase allows you to review your entire application. 

Pi Network’s KYC machine automation will automatically match the data you entered with that on your ID. 

However, if the machine can’t detect your data, Pi Network will share some details with crowd-sourced validators from the Pi community to process the data. 

Don’t worry, your data is in safe hands. 

The crowd-sourced validators can either see your face, or some parts of your ID, as the text will be censured or obscured. 

At no point in time will they – the validators – see both. 

Nevertheless, the Pi Core Team can see both data as they use it to improve the overall performance of the KYC solution. 

If you are satisfied with the data you’ve entered

• Tap the pop-up button “Yes, Data is accurate” 

Completing the process

Once you do this, you’ll see a page congratulating you on successfully submitting your KYC application. 

• Tap “See status” to know if the process was successful or if you need to re-edit your information and resend. 

When you tap “See status,” navigate to the next page where you’ll see your application is under review

Note: As we stated earlier, you have to pay 1 Pi when your tokens enter your wallet in mainnet. 

• Tap “Submit and pay“

If your KYC is successful, you’ll get a notification screen like this

Becoming a Validator

• If you wish to become a validator – i.e. validate the identity of other Pioneers in your region – tap “Become a validator.” 

Before you become a validator, you’ll undergo a quick training. 

For security purposes, we won’t be posting the training here.

After the training, you’ll have to pass a quiz to ensure you know what it takes to be a validator. 

Note that you can only validate applications from your country of residence alone. 

When all these are done, tap “Get started” to start validating others.

Final notes

Passing KYC is just as essential as completing your mainnet checklist. Without these, you can’t migrate your hard-earned tokens to mainnet, which will deprive you from bartering – exchanging goods and services for Pi – on the network. 

Most importantly, if you don’t pass KYC, you won’t enjoy the perks other Pioneers will get when the PCT lifts the mainnet firewall. 

Editor’s Note: 

Getting your Pi will also allow you to purchase goods and services on the Pi Bible marketplace. Keep in mind that Pi Bible works in line with the vision and rules that guide the Pi Network, so we don’t exchange Pi for Fiat.