DeFi adoption is climbing. In fact, the projected market could reach a staggering $32 trillion by 2034. Not surprisingly, tens of millions are already voting with their virtual feet, and decentralized exchanges are taking an increasing bite out of the trading market. If we’re going to be real, DeFi still seems like a rich people’s playground. Unfortunately, this exclusive club operates with opaque vocabulary and convoluted user experiences. Pay attention and watch out or you will be betting— and losing— your shirt! We need to ask ourselves: DeFi for whom exactly?

Above all, the promise of DeFi is democratization—allowing everyone, including everyone in this room, access to powerful financial tools that had been the reserve of the elite. That promise sounds like an empty promise if the average person can’t even understand how to use it! Now imagine that your unsuspecting grandma just wants to take a look at her DeFi options. Exactly.

These seven companies are eager to lead the charge: Antier, 4IRE, Fire Bee Techno Services, Synodus, Debut Infotech, Webisoft, and Rapid Innovation. They unleash local creativity and ingenuity. They’re literally on the hook for building the infrastructure, and they have a huge responsibility to make sure that infrastructure is accessible to everyone.

Are They Building Bridges, or Walls?

Consider the wild-west days of the internet. It was cumbersome, intimidating, and mostly the realm of tech dorks. It required intuitive controls, easy-to-understand navigation and a truckload of creativity to bring it down to earth for the average user. DeFi is long overdue for its own “AOL moment,” and these companies may be the ones to facilitate it.

Or are they just paying lip service to focusing on user journey and overall inclusivity? Or are they just building a fancier plaything for high-priced whizzes?

The US regulatory landscape is finally becoming more crypto-friendly, with potential easing of IRS reporting and a lighter touch from the SEC. That’s a big green light for national adoption! We really need to worry about nailing the user experience now so we don’t turn off the next wave of users and commenters who could go either way.

It’s insufficient to just create secure and scalable platforms. To meet the needs of diverse users, these firms have to focus on intuitive design, user education, and multilingual support. They need to do the work of outreach, of purposeful and proactive engagement with underserved communities, and of narrowing the digital divide.

This isn’t only just a matter of altruism though that’s enough reason. It’s about good business. The greater the community of people who can easily and simply leverage DeFi, the larger this market grows. Remember, 28% of Americans own crypto. But what if we could double or triple that number by making DeFi truly intuitive to navigate? Think of the potential!

Security is Crucial, But Not Enough

We all know the horror stories: billions lost to hacks and exploits. Security is paramount, of course. But security by itself won’t get us to the next billion users. While a bank vault might be safe, it’s alienating. DeFi needs to be secure and inviting.

Take Antier, for example. As such, they’re being positioned as a leader, with an eye towards innovation and aligning with federal regulatory priorities. How much of that innovation is focused on cutting through the technology to provide a user-friendly experience? Are they trying to understand how to create better onboarding experiences to reduce the learning curve of DeFi for new users?

What of cross-chain compatibility, an area of paramount importance for firms such as Webisoft and Rapid Innovation. That’s a fantastic development for accessibility, but only if new users are able to navigate the intimidating intricacies of the many different blockchains.

That’s true of Debut Infotech’s enterprise DeFi solutions as well. Streamlining business internal processes with automation equals tremendous value. It doesn’t address the fundamental challenge of bringing the individual users of DeFi on-chain.

DeFi Needs a Human Touch

We're not just talking about technological solutions. We’re discussing a pretty dramatic change in mindset. If DeFi is to realize its full potential, it must step outside its present echo chamber and adopt a more expansive and inclusive vision.

That includes pushing for more diverse boards and management teams at these firms. That doesn’t just mean testing it out on existing users, or even users with different backgrounds and/or skill levels. This requires you to step up and support education efforts. These projects should help translate the values and fundamental ideas of DeFi into layman’s terms without using crypto-speak.

I’m hopeful that these seven firms collectively have the key to unlock DeFi’s full potential. They have the power, the know-how, the tools at their disposal—and most importantly, the chance—to reshape the future of finance. They need to embrace their responsibility.

The answer remains, whether they will meet the moment. Or, will they build walls that further marginalize people from our shared economic prosperity? Or will they lobby to continue serving only the privileged few? The next few years will tell. And the future of DeFi depends on their reply.

If you are reading this, it’s high time for all of us to demand that these companies be held to account. Ask them the tough questions. Demand that they prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. DeFi for all is not just a lovely concept. It’s not just the right thing to do — it’s the only way for DeFi to truly fulfill its promise. The alternative? A far worse path: a missed opportunity and a future where finance stays as exclusive as it is today. That ought to make all of us a bit mad.