From frustration to adoption: Why it's still hard to buy a code for the first time and how to handle it

Below is a guest post from Konstantin Vasilenko. Co-founder of Paybis.

The cryptocurrency industry has come a long way in the last decade, so let's face it. By purchasing a code for the first time, you can feel like you're trying to solve the blindfold on Rubik's cube.

Despite all the advancements, first-time buyers often face a maze of confused steps, technical jargon and annoying delays. Both of these discourage potential crypto enthusiasts and lose business revenue. Let's dive into what an ideal purchasing process should look like and why it is important to recruiting.

Crypto Buying Challenge: Kamal's Journey

For many first-time crypto buyers, the excitement of joining the world of digital assets often turns into frustration. Consider Kamal, a 25-year-old from Indonesia. We've heard about Memecoins like Dogecoins and Sheeba Dogs in Tiktok and chat groups.

Intrigued by the success of their virus and excited by the hype around them, he puts aside some money to make his first investment. He is full of enthusiasm and ready to buy his first token. But instead of a smooth experience, he met challenges on every turn, bumping into the road block after the road block.

The platform's interface is messy and confused. Kamal struggles to find out where to start. Once he finds a way to sign up, the next step remains unknown. But Kamal is still going to buy, so he chooses $Pepe in the search box – and he gets lost in what to choose, without knowing how the offers are scored and what they are included.

Like many others in this situation, Kamal chooses the first option. He is already confused and does not want to choose other options without understanding the difference.

Oddly enough, Kamal doesn't seem to just buy coins with the assets he has. He must first purchase the SOL on another platform and put it in his wallet. But how did he know about this mechanism? There are no clear steps or guidelines.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the hurdles caused by poor boarding. In the KYC process, users need to upload their IDs and selfies, making them wait hours for approval and not knowing if they've done everything correctly. Priority methods may not be available for payment steps after approval. Annoyed, people choose alternatives only to encounter hidden fees and unfriendly exchange rates. And by the time our hero is ready to confirm the deal, he's already lost confidence. Confirming the blockchain takes longer than expected, and his Memecoin won't appear in his wallet anytime soon.

This experience underscores the frustrating reality of purchasing crypto on many platforms today. The lack of transparency, slow processes, and limited options create tired journeys for users like Kamal, and often leads to abandoning the process altogether.

This story is not unique. Report reveal 50% of Fiat to Crypto transactions fail, even after the user completes the KYC process. Furthermore, due to complexity, the abandonment of transactions during the purchase flow can reach 90%.

The fragmented and cumbersome nature of such systems amplifies user complaints and turns exciting ventures into tests. The barriers to entry are genuine, and they are suppressing the mass adoption of Crypto. For users like Kamal, these barriers often lead to abandoning the process completely, highlighting the need for simplified, transparent solutions to promote first-time buyers.

What is the ideal purchasing process?

The perfect purchasing process eliminates unnecessary friction while maintaining security and compliance. To get started, onboarding should feel just as easy as signing up for a social media account. Automated tools streamline the verification process and ensure speed without sacrificing security. Users should be clearly guided through each step and remove any confusion related to uploading personal documents and completing KYC steps.

Transparency is another important factor. Hidden and unexpected rates alienate users. Instead, the platform needs to clearly display all costs in advance, ensuring that users know exactly what they pay before reviewing the transaction. If not at that level of trust, what is essential to maintaining a first-time buyer?

An ideal UX should be very similar to Web2 processes such as online shopping and digital banking. The familiar interface helps reduce the threat factors for newcomers and make the transition to crypto more smooth and accessible.

Finally, speed cannot be negotiated. Transactions need to be processed in real time and clear progress updates must be made throughout the journey. Delays erode trust and block future use, whether you are paying or verifying your blockchain.

Creating a great user experience goes beyond engaging visuals and user interface best practices. This involves meeting the needs and expectations of users, particularly those who prioritize ease of use and practical solutions, rather than early adopters.

Make Cryptography Accessible: Vision for the Future

Kamal's story reflects the stories of millions of people all over the world. In 2025, interest in Crypto has skyrocketed, driven by the rise of the TON ecosystem and platforms such as the Telegram Integrated Blockchain capabilities. However, the complexity of purchasing a code remains a major barrier. Simplifying the process is a top priority for the Crypto project, which aims to have the next billion users.

After the first quarter of 2025, the goals are clear. It's about purchasing codes as effortlessly as sending texts. With advances in technology, platforms can create experiences that match or exceed the convenience of Web2. Transparent pricing, localized payment methods, and intuitive interface will become standard rather than exceptions.

The future of cryptographic is relying on accessibility. Only by addressing today's problems and prioritizing the user experience can we turn curiosity into behavior, and millions of hesitants can we turn into confident crypto employers.

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