Fast forward to today, and DeFi’s UI is finally getting a much-needed facelift. But while platforms scramble to simplify onboarding and enhance usability, one question remains: Can developers keep pace with the demands of a more mainstream audience?
Let’s break it down.
The Shift from “For Geeks, By Geeks” to Mainstream Adoption
For years, DeFi has been dominated by early adopters—tech-savvy users who didn’t mind clunky interfaces as long as the protocol worked. But as institutional investors and everyday users step in, the expectations around user experience (UX) have skyrocketed.
Take Uniswap, for example. Compare Uniswap V2 to V3, and you’ll see a clear evolution towards a more intuitive interface. But it’s not just about aesthetics. Features like automated fee structures and improved liquidity pool visuals show a deeper understanding of user needs.
Developers now face a tough challenge: balancing simplicity with DeFi’s inherent complexity. How do you create an interface that’s both powerful and accessible? The answer isn’t always straightforward.
The Wallet Connection Dilemma
One of the biggest UX pain points in DeFi? Wallet connections. For years, MetaMask has been the default, but let’s be honest—it’s not the most user-friendly experience for someone new to crypto.
Solutions like WalletConnect and Coinbase Wallet have improved things, but we’re still a long way from a seamless, Web2-like experience. Take the rise of embedded wallets like those from Privy or Magic: they remove the friction of setting up a wallet entirely, but purists argue they compromise decentralisation. It’s a trade-off, and developers need to find a balance that works for their audience.
From my experience in the blockchain recruitment space, I’ve seen companies prioritising UI/UX designers with experience outside of crypto—people who’ve worked on fintech apps, not just smart contracts. And guess what? It’s working. Platforms that bring in external UX talent are seeing better retention and user satisfaction rates.
The Gas Fee Transparency Problem
Another headache? Gas fees. Users hate them. They’re unpredictable, and the process of approving transactions often feels like a gamble.
Some platforms are tackling this with gas fee estimators and better visual cues. Look at how Lido and Yearn Finance present fee structures—they’ve come a long way from the early days when users had no clue how much they’d be paying.
The Race to Mobile-First DeFi
Let’s be real—DeFi on mobile still kinda sucks. While Web3 wallets like Rainbow and Argent are making progress, many DeFi platforms are still optimised for desktops.
This is a massive missed opportunity. More than half of global web traffic now comes from mobile devices, yet most DeFi platforms still treat mobile as an afterthought. The teams that figure this out—by offering responsive designs, mobile-first experiences, and intuitive navigation—will be the ones leading the next wave of adoption.
Case in point: Zerion. They’ve nailed mobile DeFi by focusing on an app-first experience that doesn’t feel like a scaled-down version of a desktop platform. More developers need to follow their lead.
So, Can Developers Keep Up?
The short answer: They have to.
For those hiring in the space (and trust me, I see a lot of hiring in DeFi), the demand for UI/UX talent is only going up. The next generation of DeFi platforms won’t just be competing on yield farming strategies—they’ll be competing on experience.
So if you’re building in DeFi, the question isn’t just about what your protocol does. It’s about how easy it is to use.
And if your answer is “not very”—it might be time for an overhaul.
