Ivan Keung's Portfolio

Overview

Background

In November 2019, Crypto.com embarked on a mission to empower users with true ownership of their cryptocurrency assets by introducing private keys. As a Product Designer, my role is to craft the onboarding experience for Crypto.com's DeFi Wallet. This case study explores how this project transformed the way users access and control their digital assets, with a focus on user-centric design and the democratization of DeFi.

Goals

Our main objective was to encourage more users to take control of their cryptocurrency assets by owning private keys. This project included designing an onboarding experience in Crypto.com's DeFi Wallet to educate users about private key importance and make asset ownership easier. We aimed to improve how users interact with digital assets, with a focus on user-friendly design and broader DeFi adoption.

My Role

User Research, User Interface Design, Usability Testing

Time Frame

November 2019

2 weeks

Problem

Typically, any non-custodial wallet will generate a sequential string of 12, 18 or 24 words during wallet setup. These strings represent the data to generate both the public and private keys of users' assets.If users lose access to the wallet, they can use this sequential string to recover their wallet. This is the reason why it called Recovery Phrase. That also means, if someone gained access to one's recovery phrase, the wallet and its assets inside will be compromised.

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One of the question from a quick survey we did before scoping the project

However, a critical challenge arose from the common practice of users physically storing their recovery phrases offline. While offline storage is a preferred security measure, it introduced the potential for a variety of human errors, such as writing down the wrong words or forgetting the location of the stored phrase.

This presented a pressing question:

How might we guide our users in the proper process of writing and securely storing their recovery phrases?

Our aim was to ensure that users were well-informed about the most secure practices to minimize the risk of losing or compromising their recovery phrases, thus enhancing the overall security of their digital assets.

Ideation

To tackle the user problem, we developed three key ideas:

Informative Walkthrough - Given the potential influx of cryptocurrency newcomers, we planned to offer an informative onboarding experience. This would help users grasp the importance of private keys and recovery phrases.
Focused Writing Experience - To enhance security, we proposed a more secure approach than competitors who reveal the entire recovery phrase at once. Our idea was to display one word at a time to minimize exposure during writing.
Sophisticated Storage Guide - We aimed to guide users on secure recovery phrase storage, even though it's a physical action beyond the app's control. This added layer of guidance would help users safeguard their assets effectively.

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Testing

Following a swift round of drafts, I advanced to create a high-fidelity design and crafted a prototype for a usability test.

Due to the project's tight schedule, we conducted the test exclusively with internal team members. While this internal testing had limitations, it was invaluable in providing a reality check and helping us uncover potential biases that might affect the user experience.

Below are some of the materials before or after the test:

Participants were tasked to test our designs

Some observations and feedbacks during the usability test

Solution

Walkthrough

Educate users on the basics in handling recovery phrase

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Focus on 1 word at a time

Enforce users to write down one by one to make sure the sequence is 100% correct. Avoid showing all at once to prevent being exposed to others

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Confirmation

Require users to match the word basing on a random order. Avoid tediously filling in the long recovery phrase again

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Security Tips

Suggest different ways to store the recovery phrase. Ensure users are well-educated for this physical step

Outcome

Through cost-effective user surveys, competitor product analysis, and rapid usability tests, we not only expedited progress in the MVP phase but also upheld our unwavering commitment to a user-first approach in product design.

This project underscored the importance of agility and user-centered principles in our development journey, offering valuable lessons as we continue shaping the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet for our users' benefit.

Conclusion

While this project represented a relatively straightforward aspect of our MVP, its significance reverberated throughout the entirety of the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet. Our mission is to empower everyday users to embark on their journey into decentralized finance, and achieving this requires building trust from the very beginning.

At the time, our primary focus revolved around the Crypto.com App, the flagship product of our portfolio. It was only later that Crypto.com Exchange and the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet emerged on the scene.

Initially regarded as a MVP to establish the presence of a non-custodial wallet under the Crypto.com brand, the significance of this project would become more apparent. As the DeFi summer unfolded, we recognized the need to channel additional resources into its development.

For me personally, this inaugural foray into the world of non-custodial wallets marked a pivotal moment. As I witnessed the rapid growth of the DeFi space and saw the potential of our work, my desire to contribute to the development of the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet deepened. Consequently, I joined the team as a dedicated designer for the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet.

Simplifying the path to Web3

Web3 Onboarding

Enabling easy DeFi adoption

DeFi Aggregator

Your keys, your crypto

Recovery Phrase

Strategize to overcome crypto’s volatility

Track Coin

Make segments and take actions for your events

Attendee List