Although crypto adoption in Turkey is rising fast, users remain skeptical of existing platforms: exchanges are seen as unsafe, complex, and “casino-like.” Yapı Kredi faced the challenge of designing a trusted, simple, and secure crypto banking experience that could reassure customers while differentiating from both local banks and global exchanges.

The new app was designed with one clear vision: make crypto banking as easy and reliable as checking your balance.

• Buy, sell, transfer, and save crypto with zero fees
• Seamless cold wallet integration for maximum security
• Competitive yet intuitive design informed by research and benchmarks

Research users and business requirements about crypto features. Determine task facing product and user to examine list of cases for application and base on that create the application architecture and navigation.

A user survey was conducted to determine how potencial customers thinking about crypto currencies. Some of their frustiration listed below

24 responses analyzed across 19 data points revealed core user groups:

To synthesize my research findings and my target user's needs and goals, I established my primary persona, "Hakan". This persona will help inform my design process going forward, ensuring I make decisions with him in mind.

To gain a deeper understanding for my primary user's wants and needs, I reviewed my notes and observations taken during my 1:1 interviews and developed this empathy map.

From our analysis, our local competitors dont allowed their users to buy, sell and transfer crypto within their banking app. These are the other features that i was able to take into consideration for design concepts.

Mapped 4 key modules: Home, Transfer, Crypto, More → blending traditional banking flows with crypto actions.

Early wireframes focused on simplified wallets, transparent flows, and reducing friction during onboarding.

The design principle that subdivides a system into smaller parts called modules (atomic design principle), which can be indepentently created , modified, replaced or exchanged with other modules or between different system.

A modular design system built with atomic principles, allowing components to be easily created, reused, and adapted across the app.

By placing “Crypto” next to core banking features, we ensured they can monitor and manage digital assets with the same ease as their traditional accounts.

Usability testing showed that users often confused fiat and crypto transfers. To solve this, all crypto-related actions were grouped under the dedicated “Crypto” section in the navigation.

Users can quickly access balances and transaction history through a simple drawer view. From the same screen, they can send or receive crypto, or directly purchase digital assets using their fiat accounts within the bank.

Testing showed that users prefer phone-based transfers over IBAN for speed and convenience, so we simplified the flow and connected it with their contact list.

• A refreshed Yapı Kredi app that makes crypto as simple as banking
• Secure cold wallet integration, reducing trust barriers
• Modern UI aligned with the brand’s identity
• Clear market differentiator: first local bank to integrate crypto securely into everyday banking

• Trust proved to be more important than advanced features. Users consistently prioritized security over anything else.

• Designing crypto flows to feel like traditional banking lowered the entry barrier and made adoption easier.

• User research highlighted that emotions matter. Fear and mistrust shaped design decisions more than technical challenges.