Why Developers Say Blockchain Still Lacks User-Friendly Apps
Developers say blockchain networks and tools have improved, but the apps built on them are still hard to use, expensive, and slower than familiar internet services.
For years, the blockchain industry has spoken about how the technology could change the way people transfer money, keep their records, or prove their identities.
The idea was to bring in a system that does not depend on one central authority or database, ensuring that the rights to access data do not stay with one entity.
At the same time, the plan was also to cut some costs and give users more control over their data and assets.
But it seems that things have not gone as planned in some cases. And it came out in the open during a candid discussion at the Ethereum developer conference, ETHDenver, in Colorado, in the last week of February.
ETHDenver, one of the most influential gatherings in the global blockchain ecosystem, brings together developers, founders, and investors who brainstorm to decide what to build next in the Ethereum and Web3 space.
So, builders attending the conference, specifically John Paller, who founded ETHDenver, admitted that the blockchain technology itself has moved ahead faster than the products people actually use.
Infrastructure Came First
In the past decade, developers created powerful blockchain networks, privacy layers, and security systems. These pieces basically form the technical base of the ecosystem.
Simply put, they are similar to roads, bridges, and power lines in a city. They facilitate activity.
Yet an habitable city still needs homes, shops, and offices. According to Paller, blockchain lacks that everyday layer.
In other words, the blockchain industry has built a large amount of infrastructure, but it hasn’t been able to build simple apps that ordinary users choose over existing ones.
Paller told Decrypt, which covers developments in the blockchain and cryptos space: “What we’ve actually been epically bad at is getting regular people to use regular things.”
Why Users Stay Away
People already use several apps on their phones, and they work seamlessly. Social media, payment apps, cloud storage, ride services, and online shopping platforms all operate smoothly. Plus, users are not required to have any kind of technical knowledge to use them.
On the other hand, blockchain applications, Paller said, often demand much more from the user.
Before someone can even try many blockchain services, they must create a digital wallet. They must store a private key safely. They may need to transfer funds into that wallet using an exchange or another gateway. In fact, if the key is lost, the funds are gone.
For someone who only wants to send money, store a file, or play a game, this process is hardly smooth.
Then comes the cost and speed. Many blockchain networks still struggle to match the speed and price of traditional systems.
If a payment app takes longer or charges higher fees than the option already on a person’s phone, most people will not switch.
Another issue that came up during the discussions is credibility.
Over the past few years, many people came across blockchain through speculative trading, meme tokens, or scams.
As a result, large parts of the public associate blockchain with risk that should be avoided.
The Workaround
This does not mean that the technology lacks potential. The basic capabilities are, no doubt, quite powerful.
But the benefits can reach users only when someone builds applications that make life easier. That, the developers at the conference said, requires a shift in thinking.
Instead of asking people to learn blockchain, developers may need to embed the technology inside familiar services.
That means a user should be able to open an app, tap a button, and complete even complex tasks without worrying about wallets or keys.
In short, blockchain works in the background while the user focuses on the service itself.
This pattern already exists in other technologies such as the Internet. People use the internet every day without knowing protocols, DNS or IP addresses — dynamic or static.
The same could happen with the blockchain if developers concentrate on solving real problems instead of showcasing the technology itself.
Zachary Williamson, the founder of Aztec, a privacy-focused blockchain network built on top of Ethereum, told Decrypt: “The success case for blockchain is you don’t have blockchain. You just have apps that use the blockchain.”
This series is brought to you in partnership with Algorand.
