III. Complex Interface

Many trading platforms prioritize advanced features aimed at professional traders, often resulting in cluttered interfaces that can be overwhelming for novice users. For example, platforms like MetaTrader 4 and Interactive Brokers' Trader Workstation are known for their extensive capabilities, but they are also intimidating for beginners due to their complex layouts and numerous tools.

Many DeFi platforms are also complex, requiring users to understand blockchain, smart contracts, and cryptocurrency mechanics. A 2023 Chainalysis Survey found that nearly 40% of users avoid DeFi due to this complexity. Most platforms cater to developers, offering little support for beginners. In 2024, only 7.5 million unique wallets interact with DeFi, compared to over 560 million crypto users globally.

Platforms like Uniswap and Aave require knowledge of liquidity pools, gas fees, and governance, deterring mainstream users. This complexity remains a major obstacle to wider DeFi adoption. The chart below shows a decline in global crypto adoption from its peak in early 2021, with a significant drop by the end of 2022 and a slight recovery in early 2023, but still below its highest point.