By Joanna Daniluk
Crypto vs. Trust: Why Does Web3 UX Often Feel Like a Scam?
Blockchain
Crypto
Finance
Web3 promises users a new, decentralized internet: no middlemen, full control over their data and assets.
But for many users - especially newcomers - their first encounter with decentralized apps often triggers... anxiety. Instead of excitement - worry. Instead of trust - suspicion that something isn’t right. What makes Web3 apps often look like a scam, even when they operate legitimately?
Blockchain needs good UX.
A study conducted by Saturnia Design found that as many as 78% of users abandon the deposit process on cryptocurrency platforms due to unclear interfaces and a lack of trust in the system.
A 2024 survey by Pew Research Center revealed that 63% of American adults do not trust the security and reliability of cryptocurrencies.
According to an Investopedia report, investor losses due to crypto scams exceeded $10 billion in 2024.
Every $1 invested in UX yields a return of $100, highlighting the importance of investing in user experience.
(According to research by UXCam.com)
Web3 mistakes that destroy trust.
1. Web3 and Its Vocabulary - the language barrier creates distance
One of the most overlooked UX problems in the Web3 world is the language used by platforms. For people accustomed to traditional Web2 apps - online banking, e-commerce, or social media - terms like: sign transaction, switch network, approve contract sound more like snippets from technical documentation than messages meant for everyday users.
“Connect wallet” - but what does that actually mean? “Sign transaction” - why, and for what purpose? When money is at stake, there’s no room for confusion or oversimplification.
A user joining a new platform usually doesn’t know the details of how blockchain, smart contract protocols, or network management work. For them, it’s still something new - a system meant to transfer value, not something that requires deep technical knowledge of what’s happening behind the scenes.
The problem arises when the interface blindly brings developer terminology directly into the user layer.
For an average user, “approve contract” doesn’t communicate that they’re granting access to their funds - many don’t even realize this decision can have long-term security implications. Similarly, “switch network” may suggest that the user needs to make a decision they don’t fully understand:
- Why do I need to switch networks?
- Is it safe?
- Will anything happen to my funds?
The absence of clear hints, tutorials, or even simple tooltips explaining these actions creates uncertainty, stress, and leads to the classic loss-of-trust loop:
"I don’t know what I’m clicking → I don’t know what will happen → maybe I shouldn’t click at all."
This creates a safety trap that immediately filters out a large portion of potential Web3 users right from the start.
On the right: Flow Family Wallet - great UX and UI: clear descriptions, contextual explanations, and in-flow education.
Simple solutions include:
translating actions into language that’s understandable to the average user,
short guides explaining the risks and purpose behind each action,
clear visualizations of the consequences of a decision (e.g., “you’re allowing this contract to withdraw funds from your wallet”).
The less “blockchain slang” there is in the interface, the more likely users are to feel confident and return to the platform.
2. Lack of feedback
One of the most frustrating UX problems on Web3 platforms is insufficient or unclear feedback after the user performs an action.
In traditional financial or e-commerce apps, the user immediately receives a clear message: “Payment received,” “Your order is being processed,” or at least a loading animation.
Meanwhile, in many Web3 apps, the process looks completely different. The user initiates a transaction - clicks a button, signs it in their wallet - and… nothing happens. No message, no confirmation, no clear information about what’s currently happening with the transaction. Often, only a confusing message appears, such as:
For the average user, the message on the left is complete gibberish, and for beginners, a source of anxiety. They have no idea: Did the transaction even start? Was it accepted by the blockchain? Or did something go wrong, and should it be submitted again?
The lack of clear real-time information about transaction status (e.g., “Waiting for network confirmation,” “Block 1920834 confirmed,” “Transaction successfully completed”) leaves users feeling lost and uncertain.
In a world where real financial assets can get “stuck” mid-transaction, this uncertainty is highly stressful and often leads to a loss of trust in the entire technology.
Good feedback isn’t just about showing “success” or “error” — it’s primarily about:
clearly describing each stage of the process,
informing users about potential issues and possible actions they can take,
providing estimated processing times.
Simple design elements — such as animated progress indicators, clear plain-language messages, and transparent transaction logs — could significantly improve user experience and boost confidence.
3. Cognitive Overload — when more becomes less
One of the key issues in designing interfaces for cryptocurrency platforms is cognitive overload.
Very often, we encounter the so-called “airplane cockpit effect” - the interface looks like a pilot’s control panel, filled with dozens of charts, counters, sliders, and indicators.
While this flood of information may create an impression of professionalism and technological sophistication, in practice it becomes one of the main entry barriers for the average user.
One of our redesign which includes approach “less is more”. Check out our Case study
The user, especially a beginner, gets overwhelmed by a flood of information that is often confusing or difficult to interpret quickly.
This leads to feelings of uncertainty, fear of making mistakes, and anxiety about losing money.
Too much data displayed at once makes decision-making harder, and instead of feeling in control, the user may choose to abandon the platform entirely.
Additionally, designers often fail to prioritize information by importance — everything appears equally critical. There’s a lack of clear visual hierarchy that could guide the user step by step through the investment or transaction process.
In practice, the best user experiences are built with minimalist interfaces based on the principle: “show only what’s necessary at any given moment.”
This way, users feel confident, can focus on core functions, and as their experience grows, they gain access to more advanced tools and data.
Building trust in decentralized applications starts with transparency, simplicity, education, and mature design. The user should know what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and that they’re fully in control — only then can they feel safe.
