The Rise in On-Chain Activity on Coinbase’s Layer-2 Network Exposes Issues with the Coinbase App
The ongoing “Onchain Summer” event hosted by Coinbase has revealed that the user experience on the Coinbase App is lacking. CEO Brian Armstrong acknowledged this issue and promised to address it through rapid updates in the next two weeks.
Key Points:
- Coinbase’s layer-2 network, Base, saw a significant increase in on-chain activity after its public release on August 9.
- The surge in activity exposed weaknesses in the Coinbase App’s ability to handle the increased usage.
- Armstrong urged users to provide feedback on areas where they experienced issues so that the team can fix them.
- Specific user feedback included a request for an on-ramp credit card offering quick settlements and a bug fix for connection issues with Google Chrome.
- User experience (UX) remains a major concern for Web3 and blockchain app users, with the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions being a unique challenge.
Why UX Issues Are Synonymous with Web3 and Blockchain Apps
User experience is a significant pain point for Web3 app users, attributed to the permanence and complexity of blockchain technology. The irreversible nature of blockchain transactions and the need for users to understand every detail make UX challenging.
Key Points:
- Web3 UX faces challenges due to the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions, with no way to undo actions or mistakes.
- Unlike Web2, Web3 is more complex, requiring users to understand various aspects to avoid errors.
- The analogy of driving an automated car (Web2) versus driving a stick shift (Web3) highlights the need for a deeper understanding in Web3.
- 0xDesigner recommends upgrades and changes to smart contracts and NFTs to simplify wallet creation and management.
- Despite the challenges, the rise of consumer apps with user-friendly infrastructure shows promising progress in improving Web3 UX.
Hot Take: UX Remains a Critical Challenge in the Crypto Space
The surge in on-chain activity on Coinbase’s Base network has exposed the weak user experience of the Coinbase App. This issue highlights the ongoing challenges in the crypto space, where the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions and the complexity of Web3 apps make UX a significant pain point. While there is progress being made in improving infrastructure and user-friendly interfaces, there is still work to be done to enhance the overall user experience in the crypto industry.
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