Why Rainbow’s UX Succeeded Where Most

Web3 Has a UX Problem

For all the talk of decentralization, self-sovereignty, and permissionless applications, actually using Web3 apps often feels like a chore. Wallets are confusing. Gas fees make no sense. Transaction signing feels like a leap of faith.

Most people don’t think about UX in crypto because they assume bad UX is normal. But that’s a problem. If blockchain is supposed to be the future, why does it feel stuck in the past?

Somehow, in an industry where bad UX is the norm, Rainbow built a crypto wallet that people actually enjoy using. It’s intuitive. It’s beautifully designed. It makes crypto feel fun, not frustrating.

So what did they do differently? And who else is pushing the boundaries of Web3 UX?

👉 Rainbow Wallet: rainbow.me 👉 Rainbow GitHub: github.com/rainbow-me

What Rainbow Fixed in Web3 UX

1. Crypto Wallets That Don’t Feel Like Bank Apps

Most Web3 wallets feel like finance dashboards built by engineers. They prioritize data, but forget that design matters too.

Rainbow changed that by making its UI feel like a consumer app, not a financial tool:

• Colorful gradients instead of boring dark themes.
• Smooth animations that make every interaction feel fluid.
• Fun micro-interactions (like confetti when you complete a transaction).

These things aren’t just cosmetic—they reduce friction and make crypto feel more approachable.

2. Friendly, Non-Intimidating Onboarding

Most Web3 onboarding experiences assume too much knowledge. You open a wallet, and suddenly you're staring at a long string of random words (your seed phrase) with no context.

Rainbow fixed this by guiding users step by step:

• Clear, simple language instead of tech jargon.
• Cloud backups for seed phrases (instead of forcing users to write them down immediately).
• A walkthrough of how crypto transactions work, so people know what’s happening before they press "Confirm".

This matters because most people don’t need all the complexity upfront—they just need to feel safe using the product.

3. Making NFTs Feel Like Collectibles, Not Just Tokens

Most wallets bury NFTs in a generic “assets” tab. They treat them like just another type of token rather than digital collectibles.

Rainbow leaned into NFT culture instead:

• Full-screen NFT previews instead of tiny thumbnails.
• A dedicated NFT gallery that feels more like an art collection than a spreadsheet.
• Easy sharing features, because NFT holders love showing off their collections.

It worked because NFTs are social by nature, and Rainbow made them feel that way.

4. Removing Gas Fee Guesswork

Gas fees are one of the most frustrating parts of Web3. Most wallets just show a number and expect you to figure it out.

Rainbow changed that by making fees understandable:

• Real-time fee estimates based on network activity.
• Simple explanations of what’s happening under the hood.
• Gas price alerts, so you can wait for lower fees before making a transaction.

Instead of just dumping data on users, Rainbow helped them make informed choices.

5. A Crypto Brand With Personality

Most Web3 brands feel like corporate finance companies. They’re cold, technical, and serious.

Rainbow did the opposite:

• Playful copywriting instead of robotic prompts.
• A strong Twitter presence that engages with users like a real person.
• Memes and humor that make the brand feel alive.

This works because Web3 is still a cultural movement, not just a financial system. People connect with brands that speak their language.

Who Else Is Pushing the Limits of Web3 UX?

Rainbow isn’t the only project challenging the status quo. Here are a few others doing it right:

1. Zora: Making On-Chain Creativity Accessible

👉 Website: zora.co

Zora is rethinking how NFTs and media interact with blockchains. Instead of making minting NFTs a complicated process, they make it as easy as posting on social media.

• No-code NFT creation, so anyone can mint digital assets.
• Gasless minting options, removing the biggest barrier for new creators.
• A sleek UI that feels like a creative platform, not a finance tool.

They’re proving that Web3 can be about more than just speculation—it can be a playground for creativity.

2. Farcaster: A Decentralized Social Network That Feels Familiar

👉 Website: farcaster.xyz

Most decentralized social platforms feel broken. They prioritize censorship resistance but ignore usability.

Farcaster is different. It’s a crypto-native social network that actually feels good to use.

• Familiar UX—it looks and feels like Twitter.
• Sign in with Ethereum, without requiring confusing seed phrases.
• Composable posts—you can remix content and build new applications on top of it.

Instead of trying to reinvent social media from scratch, Farcaster made Web3 social feel native and intuitive.

3. Warpcast: A Web3 Social App That Doesn't Feel Like Web3

👉 Website: warpcast.com

Warpcast is a mobile-first Web3 social app built on Farcaster. It succeeds where most decentralized social platforms fail:

• Seamless onboarding—it feels as easy as setting up an Instagram account.
• No confusing wallet setup—users can interact without knowing the backend details.
• A clean, minimalist design that doesn’t overwhelm first-time users.

Web3 social platforms have traditionally been slow, confusing, and cluttered. Warpcast is proving that they don’t have to be.

The projects that will define Web3 aren’t just the most technically advanced. They’re the ones that make blockchain invisible—that make decentralized apps feel as smooth and intuitive as the best consumer products today.

Crypto doesn’t need more features. It needs better design.