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The goal of the project was to validate the idea and create the MVP version of the prototype.
Investiva is an application that allows users to deposit USDC, a stable cryptocurrency, to a so-called smart contract. The smart contract represents an additional level of security. It allows only the user to withdraw their funds, which means that even if the platform fails and the trader is corrupt, the funds remain owned by the user. Traders working for Investiva choose how to invest funds from users and give instructions to the smart contract. After a successful or unsuccessful investment, the user has a little more or less money in the account. Taking into account the previous success of the trader, the user can expect a return on investment (ROI) of 80% on an annual basis.
In order to validate the idea, we set up a hypothesis that we will examine through interviews with users. The hypothesis is: Investiva's users want to invest their crypto and get a high return on investment with minimized chances of funds being lost.
We asked the following questions to validate or devalidate the hypothesis and get potential new ideas:
• What attracts and motivates you to invest in cryptocurrencies?
• In your opinion, what are the most common problems when investing in cryptocurrencies and what are your fears?
• How important is a trader's track record to you when making investment decisions?
• What level of risk do you take in your crypto investments?
• How actively do you monitor your investments?
• Do you want to be more or less actively involved in your investments?
• What additional resources or features would enhance your investment experience?
• How do you rate the reliability and credibility of traders?
• What kind of information and transparency do you expect from the platform regarding trader performance and fees?
• What are your long-term goals for investing in cryptocurrencies and investing in general?
Our criteria for users were quite broad. We only had a few limitations: They needed to hold crypto already and are unhappy it is just sitting there.
Given that we work in a blockchain venture builder, it was not hard to find people that fit the description.
We conducted 10 interviews and, based on their answers, managed to divide users into two logical groups: the Cautious Investor and the Crypto Enthusiast.
These answers reflect the different approaches and expectations of these two personalities. While the Cautious Investor looks for stability and due diligence of traders, The Crypto Enthusiast is more open to risk and wants to learn from the experience of traders. These insights were instrumental in shaping Investiva's features, communication strategies and overall user experience to cover the demands of both types of users. Design happens in context. And research is simply understanding that context.
I love it when I don’t open Figma as soon as I start working on a project. I created a user flow diagram that maps every action we would anticipate users needing in the MVP, and after that I got to designing a visual direction, landing page and application at the same time.
The platform should have a straightforward, clean design that makes navigation easy for both experienced and novice users.
A personalized dashboard that provides a quick overview of the user's portfolio, including current balance, performance metrics, and recent transactions.
Real-time updates on investment performance. Graphical representations of portfolio growth and trader performance over time. Access to market trends and insights relevant to the user’s investments.
A resource center with educational materials on cryptocurrency trading, market trends, and risk management, tailored for different expertise levels. Regular webinars or Q&A sessions with expert traders or financial advisors. Clear and transparent information on how funds are protected.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) and advanced encryption for account security.
A robust support system including chat and email.
Clear information on any fees or commissions charged by the platform.
Customizable notifications for portfolio updates, market news, or trader announcements. Alerts for significant changes in portfolio performance.
An interactive onboarding process to guide new users through the platform’s features and investment options.
User research is so important even when there’s a clear UVP of a product. It’s hard to attract and retain users in a saturated market so we knew a simple one feature wasn’t going to cut it. Interviews with our potential users allowed us to step into their shoes and uncover their needs so we could base our features on them.
The entire prototype is currently in development. After the launch we plan on testing it internally and conducting usability tests with our users. Stay tuned :)
