Thursday, September 12, 2024
Case Study Overview
This case study covers the end-to-end design of Bintex, a cryptocurrency trading platform built specifically for the South African market.
The work included brand strategy, visual identity, and UX design for a mobile-first trading application.
The primary goal was to create a secure, accessible, and cost-transparent trading experience that worked for both novice and experienced users.
Problem Statement

South African cryptocurrency traders face several persistent challenges:
High transaction fees
Limited access to global markets
Ongoing security concerns
Existing platforms often prioritize advanced functionality over clarity, which increases friction and reduces trust.
Bintex set out to challenge this model by offering a platform designed around local needs and global access.
Context and Constraints

Market focused on South Africa
Highly competitive crypto and fintech space
Users with mixed experience levels
Strong regulatory and security expectations
The solution had to balance simplicity with depth while maintaining credibility in a sensitive financial domain.
My Role
I worked as a UX Strategist and Product Designer, responsible for:
Brand strategy and positioning
End-to-end UX design
Information architecture and flows
Visual identity aligned with usability and trust
The work covered research, concept definition, interaction design, and validation.
Research and Discovery
We began with structured research to understand both market dynamics and user behavior.
Research Activities

Market analysis of competitors such as Luno, VALR, and Binance
Surveys and interviews with potential users in South Africa
Semi-structured interviews conducted over five days with 40 participants
The research revealed a strong demand for lower fees, clearer interfaces, and better access to global markets.
Image to include:
Research summary slide showing survey results, key metrics, and insight clusters.
User Insights

Key findings from research:
60 percent of users trade weekly
72 percent rate security as very important
75 percent are likely to switch platforms for lower fees and better security
Users wanted a platform that felt secure without being overwhelming and powerful without being complex.
Strategy and Positioning

Based on insights, we defined Bintex as a secure, globally connected trading platform built for South Africans.
The strategy focused on:
Making security visible and understandable
Reducing perceived and real transaction costs
Simplifying complex trading actions
Brand and UX were developed together to ensure consistency across all touchpoints.

Information Architecture and UX Design


We structured the application to support clear progression from onboarding to advanced trading.
Core UX Principles
Clear next steps at every stage
Progressive disclosure of complexity
Consistent feedback and confirmation
This ensured that new users could start quickly while experienced traders retained control.
Key User Flows
Onboarding Flow
Welcome screen
Account creation and email verification
Profile setup, KYC verification, and dashboard access
Trading Flow
Select trading pair
View market data
Place and confirm order
Deposit and Withdrawal Flow
Select currency
Enter details
Review and confirm transaction
Prototyping and Usability Testing
High-fidelity prototypes were created and tested across multiple iterations.
Testing focused on:
Comprehension of trading actions
Clarity of fees and confirmations
Perceived security during sensitive actions
Feedback was incorporated to refine flows, labels, and interaction patterns.
Image to include:
High-fidelity screens showing dashboard, trading, and copy trading views.
Visual Design and Brand System

The visual identity supported usability and trust through:
High contrast and clear hierarchy
Consistent color usage for status and actions
Typography optimized for readability
Security features such as 2FA and KYC were visually integrated to reassure users during critical moments.

Outcomes and Impact
The final product delivered:
A clear and intuitive trading experience
Strong trust signals through UX and brand alignment
A platform positioned competitively within the South African market
Bintex established itself as a credible alternative to global platforms by focusing on local needs.
Tools and Methods Used
User research and interviews
UX strategy and information architecture
Wireframing and prototyping
Visual identity and UI design
Usability testing and iteration
Why This Case Study Matters
This project demonstrates how UX strategy, brand thinking, and fintech constraints can be aligned to create meaningful user experiences.
It shows the ability to design complex financial systems with clarity, responsibility, and user focus.

This project was commissioned to my design studio, TrueForm, and delivered in close collaboration with the client.
Category:
Fintech, UX, Strategy, Branding
Client:
Lucent Inc.
Duration:
8 – 9 Weeks
Location:
Tokyo, Japan













