The following is a guest post from Konstantin Vasilenko, Co-Founder of Paybis.
The cryptocurrency industry has come a long way in the past decade, but let’s face it – buying crypto for the first time can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.
Despite all the advancements, first-time buyers often face a maze of confusing steps, technical jargon, and frustrating delays. This both discourages potential crypto enthusiasts and results in lost revenue for businesses. Let’s dive into what the ideal buying process should look like and why simplifying it is critical for adoption.
The Challenges of Buying Crypto: Kamal’s Journey
For many first-time crypto buyers, the excitement of joining the world of digital assets often turns into frustration. Let’s consider Kamal, a 25-year-old from Indonesia who’s been hearing about memecoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu on TikTok and in chat groups.
Intrigued by their viral success and excited about the hype around them, he sets aside some money to make his first investment. Full of enthusiasm, he’s ready to buy his first token. But instead of a smooth experience, he’s met with challenges at every turn, hitting roadblock after roadblock.
The platform’s interface is cluttered and confusing. Kamal struggles to find where to begin. Once he figures out how to sign up, the next steps remain unclear. But Kamal still intends to purchase, so he selects $PEPE in the search box – and he gets lost in what to choose, with no idea how the offers are graded and what they contain.
Like many others in such a situation, Kamal chooses the first option – he is already disoriented, and he certainly doesn’t want to choose between other options without understanding the difference.
Weirdly enough, it appears that Kamal can’t just buy the coin with the assets he has. He must buy SOL first on another platform to have it in his wallet. But how could he have known about this mechanism? No clear steps, no guidelines.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the hurdles caused by poor onboarding. The KYC process requires users to upload an ID and a selfie, making them wait for hours for approval, unsure if they’ve done everything correctly. On the payment step after the approval, the preferred method might be unavailable. Frustrated, people choose an alternative, only to encounter hidden fees and an unfriendly exchange rate. And by the time our hero is ready to confirm the transaction, he’s already lost confidence. Blockchain confirmation takes longer than expected, and his memecoins don’t appear in his wallet immediately.
This experience highlights the frustrating reality of buying crypto on many platforms today. The lack of transparency, slow processes, and limited options create an exhausting journey for users like Kamal, often leading them to abandon the process altogether.
This story is not unique. Reports reveal that 50% of fiat-to-crypto transactions fail, even after users complete the KYC process. Moreover, transaction abandonment during the purchase flow can reach as high as 90% due to the complexities involved.
The fragmented and cumbersome nature of such systems amplifies user frustration, turning an exciting venture into an ordeal. The barriers to entry are real, and they’re holding back crypto’s mass adoption. For users like Kamal, these barriers often lead to abandoning the process altogether, highlighting the need for simplified, transparent solutions to encourage first-time buyers.
What an Ideal Buying Process Should Look Like
The perfect buying process eliminates unnecessary friction while maintaining security and compliance. To start, onboarding should feel as simple as signing up for a social media account. Automated tools can streamline the verification process and ensure speed without sacrificing security. Users should be guided clearly through each step, removing the confusion often associated with uploading personal documents or completing KYC procedures.
Transparency is another critical factor. Hidden fees and unexpected charges alienate users. Instead, platforms must clearly display all costs upfront, ensuring users know exactly what they’ll pay before confirming a transaction. What is essential to retaining first-time buyers, if not such a level of trust?
An ideal UX should closely resemble Web2 processes like online shopping or digital banking. A familiar interface can help reduce the intimidation factor for newcomers, making the transition into crypto smoother and more accessible.
Finally, speed is non-negotiable. Transactions should be processed in real-time, with clear progress updates throughout the journey. Delays, whether during payment or blockchain confirmations, erode trust and discourage future use.
Creating a great user experience goes beyond attractive visuals or user interface best practices. It involves meeting the specific needs and expectations of users – particularly those who aren’t early adopters and prioritizes ease of use and practical solutions.
Making Crypto Accessible: A Vision for The Future
Kamal’s story mirrors that of millions worldwide. In 2025, interest in crypto is surging, fueled by the rise of the TON ecosystem and platforms like Telegram integrating blockchain features. Yet, the complexity of buying crypto remains a major barrier. Simplifying the process is the #1 priority for crypto projects that aim to onboard the next billion users.
After the first quarter of 2025, the goal is clear: make buying crypto as effortless as sending a text. With advances in technology, platforms can create experiences that match – or exceed – Web2 convenience. Transparent fees, localized payment methods, and intuitive interfaces will be the norm rather than the exception.
The future of crypto depends on accessibility. Only by addressing today’s pain points and prioritizing user experience can we transform curiosity into action and so turn millions of hesitant newcomers into confident crypto adopters.
The post From frustration to adoption: Why buying crypto for the first time is still so hard and how to handle it appeared first on CryptoSlate.
