StarX Network Aims to Rival Pi Network with Smartphone Mining and 90M Token Supply

StarX Network recently announced a new smartphone-based cryptocurrency mining platform, which is inviting early adopters to mine its tokens using nothing but their mobile devices. Promoted by Open Mainnet through Twitter, the initiative is being billed as the next evolution in energy-efficient mining. With a total supply of 90 million tokens, StarX Network invites users to “start mining now” and offers an invitation code — openMainnet — as a gateway to early adoption. This strategy draws strong parallels to the early success story of Pi Network, which started as a smartphone-based mining project in 2019 and quickly expanded to a community of more than 50 million users by 2023.

What Is StarX Network?

StarX Network says it provides a low-barrier entry into the cryptocurrency ecosystem by enabling users to mine tokens directly from their smartphones. Unlike traditional crypto mining which demands specialized hardware and consumes a lot of electricity, StarX advocates for a model that requires no extra hardware costs and no battery drain. This makes it especially attractive to mainstream users who are interested in participating in crypto mining without the technical complexity or high cost of investments.

Comparisons to Pi Network

StarX’s marketing closely resembles the story that made Pi Network so popular. Pi Network enabled people to mine tokens through a mobile application from 2019 onwards, aiming at building a wide user base without high costs. By 2023, Pi Network stated that it has over 50 million active users. Many considered it to be one of the largest community-driven crypto projects.

One of the fundamental selling points of StarX is the claim of “no battery drain and no hardware cost.” While this sounds ideal, there have been no peer-reviewed academic or industry studies to confirm the long-term feasibility of such a low-resource mining system. Experts warn that cryptocurrencies need consensus mechanisms that either use energy (such as Proof of Work) or depend on certain network dynamics (such as Proof of Stake).

Some analysts believe that mining via smartphone may be more of a marketing tactic than a viable economic model. The system of using an invitation code implies a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure. A 2021 study from the Journal of Business Ethics raised concerns on MLM tactics in crypto projects, noting that they often focus more on recruitment incentives than the long-term value of the asset. This raises red flags for skeptics, who wonder if the system generates real utility or just benefits early participants and promoters.

StarX’s long-term roadmap, however, is unclear. The project’s whitepaper gives vague information on how the network reaches consensus and how it intends to keep the network decentralized while running on lightweight devices. Without transparent technical audits or community-driven governance, the sustainability of the token’s value and network security may be in jeopardy.

Wider Market Implications

The rise of smartphone mining networks such as StarX is a reflection of the increasing demand for accessible crypto projects that don’t require technical expertise. Many newbies are reluctant to deal with traditional mining, due to the technical complexity, energy use, and initial costs. Projects such as StarX have an appeal in that they provide an easy entry point and a low perceived risk.

However, investors should be careful. Past examples, such as several projects that followed Pi Network’s strategy, have often not been able to deliver lasting value or robust ecosystems. Regulatory scrutiny is also on the rise worldwide and authorities are becoming more vigilant to MLM-like crypto schemes that might take advantage of unsophisticated users.