I am an advocate for decentralized ideologies and the implementation of blockchain technologies to aid the evolution of society into a more inclusive future. The purpose of this app is to enable web3 professionals to leverage there hardworking for instant access to purchasing power bypassing fees and days of waiting.

The rapid growth of professionals making a living in Web3 has demonstrated the increasing importance of financial tools designed for crypto holders. Most noteably DAOs have continued to establish their presence within the Web3 ecosystem, s.

The reoccuring pain point Web3 professionals face is off-ramping their hard earned monthly salary into cash as they are paid in cryptocurrency.

DAOs now hold around 40% of the total value locked in DeFi, highlighting their growing influence

From 2021 to 2023, DAO participants grew exponentially from 13,000 to 1.6 million, demonstrating a 12,000% increase in engagemen

As of March 2023, DAO treasuries exceeded $25 billion, a 100% increase from earlier in the year​

DAO treasuries are projected to exceed $100 billion, making efficient liquidity management tools like Reap Exchange crucial for Web3 participants.

I analyzed 2 of the most popular exchanges - looking closely at the off-ramping process including their visa cards, rewards, and fees that come with liquidating crypto.

Coinbase

Both Crypto.com and Coinbase offer prepaid Visa cards that let users spend crypto globally, wherever Visa is accepted. With high cashback rates, up to 5% on Crypto.com and 4% on Coinbase, users earn rewards in cryptocurrency. These cards provide an accessible and flexible way to integrate crypto into daily spending without needing constant crypto-to-fiat conversions beforehand.

The reliance on prepaid balances requires users to convert crypto into fiat, creating extra steps and potential tax implications, as each transaction may be considered a taxable event. Additionally, both cards have spending limits and rewards that depend on staking specific tokens, which could deter casual users. This setup adds complexity and possible capital gains taxes, further reducing the appeal of using crypto for everyday purchases.

“I found it really frustrating that my Crypto.com card was declined several times at places that accepted Visa. I had to switch to my regular debit card to complete purchases.”

— The Business Insider

“I had trouble figuring out how to activate my Coinbase card. The app's navigation is confusing, and it took me multiple tries before I was able to use it. Customer service wasn’t much help either.”

— The Business Insider

“The rewards program is attractive, but the fees can really add up if you're not careful. Using a credit or debit card for crypto purchases is very expensive.”

I conducted a user survey across some of the most active DAOs amongst contributors that participate part-time and full-time in the DAO>

DAO Contributors reportedly spend more than a $100 or more in gas fees each paycheck.

Between swapping and transferring tokens, users reported that it can take up to 6 or more transactions to get cash in their fiat accounts.

Surveys shows that off ramping through Coinbase or lesser-known private lanes can take up 5 - 7 days.

As DAOs and Web3 adoption become prevalent, there is a growing demand for individual economic freedom. With over 1.6 million DAO members and treasuries expanding 40x since 2021, users increasingly seek decentralized financial solutions that offer liquidity without selling their assets or navigating unfavorable hoops to jump through just get purchasing power. This reflects the rising need for platforms that provide credit based on crypto collateral, supporting financial autonomy in a decentralized world.

I created 2 personas based on two types of users on the app. The DAO contributor and the Web3 Professional.

Ocupation: DAO Contibutor

Location: Remote (Sao Paulo, Brasil)

To easily contribute to decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and earn rewards.

Maintain liquidity of crypto assets while participating in governance.

Access secure lines of credit without selling her crypto holdings.

Difficulty in accessing traditional credit lines due to lack of centralized financial records.

Crypto platforms with complex interfaces that make staking and reward systems challenging to use.

High fees for cross-border transactions.

Passion for decentralization and building the future of Web3.

Achieving financial independence without relying on traditional banks.

Supporting global and impactful projects through DAOs.

Actively participates in multiple DAOs, frequently voting on proposals.

Uses a combination of cold storage and hot wallets for her assets.

Prioritizes secure platforms that emphasize privacy and user control.

Ocupation: Web3 Professional (Developer)

Location: Remote (Kuala Lampur, Malaysia)

Manage multiple crypto streams from freelance Web3 projects.

Gain easy access to spending power without liquidating long-term crypto investments.

Simplify his tax management across different cryptocurrencies.

Lack of integration between different Web3 platforms and traditional financial systems.

High volatility in crypto values affecting purchasing power.

Complex tax implications when converting crypto to fiat.

Optimizing income management while staying within the crypto ecosystem.

Keeping up with innovations in decentralized finance and expanding his portfolio.

Earning passive income through staking without selling assets.

Regularly monitors market fluctuations to make informed decisions on trades.

Works on various freelance smart contract development projects.

Uses platforms that offer low transaction fees and comprehensive reporting tools for taxes.

To outline all the necessary functionality I created flow diagram of the main tasks the user can do. One of the flows is shown below. 

Once the flow diasgram were created, I started creating the low fidelity wireframes of the main flows.

The visual morphed a few times but eventually settled on one that captured the pioneering aspect of the core user who

I explored a few different navigation patterns, UI styles and explored different variants of the Dashboard, Wallet, Portfolio and a few other screens and their states.

The decision to embrace a Neo-Brutalist style was made to resonate with target users who are at the forefront of Web3 adoption, while also setting this DeFi product apart from the more conventional UIs of its competitors.

Below, you can see how the Dashboard evolved throughout different project phases. Significant time was dedicated to its development, as it's a key component for user interaction and overall platform usability.

Here are a few style variations explored during the design process. In the initial variants, there wasn’t much that captured the raw and authentic tech elements that resonated with Reap's target audience and their career paths. The shift to a beige background with Green CTA's introduced a more generative tone, reflecting the transformative impact Reap Exchange aims to have.

I developed a high-fidelity prototype using Figma to thoroughly assess and refine the user flow. Moving forward, I will continue testing and iterating based on user feedback to ensure an optimal experience.

Reap Exchange is a DeFi platform that provides users with immediate purchasing power through a credit line backed by their crypto assets and precious metals. The project involved thorough market research, competitive analysis of platforms like Coinbase and the creation of personas representing global web3 builders. Following pen and paper sketches, I utilized Figma to develop low-fIdelity & high-fidelity wireframes as well, as a clickable prototype. Key features of the MVP included deposits, buybacks, and rewards. The scope was to address the pain points web3 practitioners face while differentiating Reap Exchange through innovation and reducing the steps between crypto and real world spending.

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