In recent revelations by the CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, he confessed that the recent surge in on-chain activities within the new layer-2 network, Base, revealed major user experience (UX) flaws within the Coinbase app. Specific concerns were raised surrounding NFTs, Dapps, and Layer 2 solutions.
The wakeup call came during the ‘Onchain Summer’ event on Base, a season filled with product launches, brand activities, and NFT releases. Armstrong displayed an air of humility by recognizing the app’s shortcomings, showing a strong commitment to addressing these issues promptly. As he put it, “If we face the truth, we can get motivated to improve it”.
On the brighter side, Armstrong indicated that the Coinbase wallet has made significant strides in correcting UX problems. Despite this, he was quick to admit there remains a substantial amount of work left to be done with the main Coinbase app. As part of remediation efforts, Coinbase plans to have its team actively engage with the app and test its efficacy.
In principle, this is a good plan. After all, external criticism might highlight areas of concern, but it is the internal embracement of these criticisms from within the organization that results in noticeable improvements.
Coincidentally, Armstrong goes a step further to show appreciation for user feedback. He encourages the Coinbase community to share experiences and even guarantees prioritization in addressing these pain points. This could primarily be due to the fact that the app’s current flaws got exposed during an event that coincided with a surge of on-chain activities.
Interestingly, the most liked response to Armstrong’s invitation came from a developer at Friendtech, who proposed a speedy settlement credit card on-ramp to Coinbase, effectively eliminating the need for users to create a separate account.
The frequently reported yet persistent bug affecting the connection between Coinbase mobile wallet and Google Chrome did not escape the CEO’s notice. Prompt resolutions were promised, along with speedier updates in ensuing weeks.
Meanwhile, the crypto industry continues to fight its long-term battle with user experience issues. Some companies have fallen short of the mark, while others, like Bybit, have shined brightly for delivering exceptional UX design. Bybit even achieved multiple accolades at the esteemed International Forum (iF) Design Award 2023 for its UX approach.
All these suggest that in the volatile crypto world, the app usability and user experience are not merely afterthoughts or choice of convenience but prerequisites for survival and growth. Indeed, the current lessons from Coinbase hold valuable insights for all players in the crypto sector.
Source: Cryptonews
