Web3 Breaks Ground with the Convenience of a Consumer-Centric Approach | Opinion
Blockchain technology has delivered many advancements in the modern digital age, yet its actual practical utility is yet to be realized. The enthusiasm of early web3 adopters is both a blessing and a curse: competing for crypto-natives, developers often neglect usability for non-technical consumers.
From 2016 to 2022, the number of active crypto wallets increased from 5.7 million to 80 million—an impressive 14-fold growth. Daily transaction count, however, shows a much more modest picture—a mere 40% increase during 2017-2021. Academic research shows that 81% of respondents are interested in blockchain but find the effort needed to use it too excessive. According to another study by Pohang University of Science and Technology, an average user is consistently less satisfied with their experience with blockchain-based applications than their non-blockchain alternatives.
The verdict is clear: to achieve widespread crypto adoption, developers must begin to put consumers first—by delivering better UX and UI, a seamless experience on the same level as web2 applications, and a gentler learning curve.
In blockchain’s infancy, the primary focus was establishing the technology’s viability and ensuring that distributed ledgers were secure, decentralized, and efficient. Technical intricacies were at the forefront as the early blockchain community, composed mainly of technologically adept individuals, embraced the innovation despite its complexity.