In theory, self -herb portfolios represent the ultimate form of financial freedom. In practice, they are the reason that most people give up crypto. Losing access, dealing with seeds and navigating confusing interfaces is not empowerment. Web3 continues to preach financial sovereignty, but most people just want to send money without feeling that they solve a puzzle.
The web3 -ecosystem has placed an ideology before usability. The promise of decentralization and user control is convincing, but it means little if the tools are too frustrating for the average person. To reach Crypto the next billion users, the convenience must be prioritized next to sovereignty.
Web3 is still building for insiders
Despite the progress of the industry, onboarding in web3 remains broken. Wallets are still designed for users who already understand crypto, not for the millions that don’t. Most people are expected to write and store complex seed sentences, understand gas costs, switch between chains and avoid expensive errors. There is no support system, no fallback and often no way to recover funds if something goes wrong. These are not small problems. They are the main reason why everyday users hesitate to get in touch with Web3.
User data support this. A 2024 questionnaire Consensys revealed that more than 55% of the respondents found self -spice portfolios intimidating or confusing. Leaving figures are high, especially among first users. Fear of making irreversible mistakes with their funds ensures that many are not finished after onboarding. A separate questionnaire RIF technology showed that 13.25% of users identified onboarding and access as major challenges when learning to use blockchain products, while almost a quarter (24.56%) evoked an easier onboarding and better mechanisms to prevent keys. These are not border cases. This is the norm.
Users ask for simplicity, not just sovereignty
At the same time, people are more comfortable with digital finances than ever before. Platforms such as Revolut, Nubank, Paytm and Venmo have trained millions of users to expect simplicity, immediate transactions and customer support when something goes wrong. These platforms grow fast because they remove friction from the user experience. In the meantime, most Web3 apps add it.
It is clear that people want more control over their money. The increase in the demand for self-coasts after incidents such as the recent Bybit-Hack proves this. This infringement reminded users that even important, well -known platforms are vulnerable and that trust -concentralized services with complete custody of funds. Events such as these push users to find options where they have more control over their assets. But they want control that is safe, understandable and forgiving. No control that comes with a warning label and a feeling of fear every time they open their wallets.
This is where industry needs a mentality shift. We must stop treating convenience as a compromise. It is not. It is a function. In fact, it is the function that will determine whether crypto infrastructure will be for the next generation of finance or a niche subculture.
Cedefi shows that there is a better way
Until recently, most projects opted for full decentralization or full storage, with little room for intervening models that offered both control and safety.
There is a feasible path ahead. Cedefi, or centralized decentralized finances, combines the best of both worlds. It gives user optionality. You can hold your keys or delegated custody. You can switch between guardianship and non-guardianship experiences, depending on your risk tolerance or level of expertise. CEDefi models provide user protection and simplicity, while still honoring the principles of decentralization.
In addition to Cedefi, other usability-driven innovations also reform how people deal with crypto. Functions such as username-based transfers and wallet integrations with well-known platforms such as Telegram are designed to reduce friction at every contact point. The open network (TON), for example, used its integration with telegram to exceed 10.78 million activated portfolios, an increase of 1,400% in one year. This increase was driven by seamless in-app wallet creation and a user experience modeled to Web2 Simplicity. By giving priority to ease of use, some platforms help people who have never dealt with crypto before they start using it regularly. And they stay. Retention is higher when users feel confident. Adoption grows when people feel safe.
The wider industry must follow. There is too much talent, capital and potential in web3 to keep building for an elite group of technically skilled users. If we want to bring Web3 to the world, we must stop expecting the world to adapt to Web3. The tools must evolve to meet people where they are.
Crypto does not win by being philosophical pure. It wins by being usable. The next wave of adoption does not come from pushing users to abstract ideals. It comes from designing products that respect the time, attention and expectations of users. Sovereignty is important, but without convenience it remains out of reach. The challenge now falls for the next wave of builders: to create experiences that make users feel both empowered and at ease.