The Solana Breakpoint conference made history this year as it convened in Abu Dhabi for the first time, underscoring the Middle East’s growing role in the global blockchain ecosystem. Amid the event’s focus on scalability, payments, and adoption, Rachel Pether spoke with Jason Dominique, CEO and co-founder of Onchain, to examine one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: usability in the on-chain economy.
Dominique identified user experience as a major barrier preventing broader participation in blockchain-based finance. While infrastructure continues to advance rapidly, he noted that complexity remains a critical friction point. According to Dominique, roughly 75% of users who attempt to interact on-chain fail to complete transactions due to confusing processes and unfamiliar terminology, particularly when moving beyond basic stablecoin usage.
He argued that the on-chain economy must evolve to resemble traditional e-commerce if it hopes to reach mass adoption. For users to feel comfortable, transactions need to mirror familiar online shopping experiences. That includes local payment methods, recognizable currencies, and intuitive workflows tailored to regional markets. Onchain’s strategy focuses on reducing cognitive friction and aligning blockchain interactions with behaviors users already understand.
At the same time, Dominique stressed that expanding access cannot come at the expense of security or regulatory compliance. Onchain has introduced what it calls “smart guard rails,” a system designed to balance accessibility with safety. These automated safeguards evaluate transactions in real time, applying preset rules to ensure assets and users meet security and compliance standards. This structure allows users to request listings and complete purchases without unnecessary delays while maintaining a controlled environment.
Dominique explained that the Onchain platform streamlines discovery and execution by shortening the path from interest to transaction. Through its website, users can explore assets and act immediately, rather than navigating multiple platforms and steps. Onchain is also working with major discovery platforms such as CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko to surface purchase opportunities at the moment of engagement, reducing drop-off rates and simplifying the user journey.
The discussion highlighted how these innovations could influence the broader on-chain economy. By narrowing the gap between complex decentralized finance systems and user-friendly interfaces, Onchain aims to lower entry barriers and expand participation across retail and institutional users. Greater accessibility, Dominique noted, is essential not only for individual adoption but also for the long-term credibility and growth of the crypto ecosystem.
Onchain’s approach also aligns with broader themes emerging across financial technology, including sustainability, impact-driven entrepreneurship, and responsible innovation. As blockchain and artificial intelligence converge, platforms that prioritize ease of use alongside compliance may play a pivotal role in reshaping how financial services are delivered globally.
Looking ahead, Dominique emphasized that the future of blockchain adoption depends on making on-chain activity feel as seamless and trustworthy as traditional digital commerce. As the financial sector continues to evolve, companies focused on usability and security are likely to define the next phase of crypto adoption. Insights shared at Solana Breakpoint suggest that Onchain is positioning itself at the center of that transition, working to build a more inclusive and sustainable on-chain economy.