Overcoming Usability Barriers in Blockchain Applications: An Analysis of Human–Computer Interaction in Decentralized Finance on Ethereum Virtual Machine–Compatible Networks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5753/reic.2026.7238Keywords:
Usability in Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), Blockchain, User Experience (UX)Abstract
This study examines usability barriers in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) applications operating on Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible networks, showing that issues related to user flow, terminology, and feedback hinder adoption, particularly among novice users. To address these challenges, the work proposes an improved interface and compares it with a non-optimized version using performance metrics, click counts, and the NASA-TLX questionnaire. The results indicate that the enhanced interface raised the task-completion rate from 76% to 89%, reduced excess clicks from 221 to 186, and decreased perceived cognitive load across all six NASA-TLX dimensions, most notably mental demand and frustration, including among experienced users, who reported greater fluency and predictability. The study concludes that targeted usability refinements are essential to strengthening user trust and adoption of decentralized financial applications, recommending process standardization, less technical messaging, and the reduction of critical steps to mitigate operational fatigue and broaden Web3 accessibility.
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