Interface design and build for open source Ethereum wallet

Responsive marketing site designs

Identification of Opportunity

As cryptocurrency gained greater traction, users sought trustworthy solutions to securely manage their private keys and access decentralized applications (dApps). An opportunity emerged to provide an open and transparent wallet experience.

Ethvault on mobile

Definition of Problem

Our hypothesis was that an open-source, in-browser wallet and dApp portal for Ethereum would be viewed as more trustworthy than closed browser extensions. We believed allowing users to audit the code and avoid installing additional software would instill more confidence.

Component design

Iteration to Solution

As a designer and UI engineer, I worked on iterating and refining an approachable user experience for this open wallet. The interface aimed to smoothly combine private key management with a curated directory of verified dApps users could seamlessly interact with. We conducted usability testing to optimize flows like key backup, recovery phrases, and dApp connection approval processes based on feedback.

Impact

Ultimately, our hypothesis that an open, auditable in-browser option would be favored over closed extensions like MetaMask proved incorrect. As MetaMask and others gained momentum, our project struggled to achieve mass adoption. While the end product showcased transparency and design for blockchain users, the market overwhelmingly valued the convenience and integrations offered by extension-based wallets willing to sacrifice some openness. This experience provided valuable learnings about bridging usability and security requirements in novel blockchain UX paradigms. It also highlighted how community trust accumulates through network effects, often prioritized over upfront transparency.