Practical Examples

Below are specific applications of the “design for the edges” heuristic in Bitcoin applications:

Recovery Options

Design for: Users who struggle with technical complexity, cognitive load, or secure storage management.

Implementation:

Seedless recovery options – Enable accessible recovery without requiring manual entry of seed phrases.
Visual backups or mnemonic alternatives – Provide accessible QR codes, visual aids, or other alternative formats that enhance memory recall.
Encrypted cloud sync with appropriate security measures – Allow encrypted backups with client-side encryption and accessible recovery workflows.

Universal benefit: Reduces risk of permanent fund loss for all users, particularly those with memory or dexterity challenges.

Design for: Users with cognitive disabilities, language barriers, or information processing difficulties.

Implementation:

Plain-language transaction summaries – Use simple, readable language to improve cognitive accessibility and understanding (e.g. “send” vs. “broadcast raw tx”).
Visual representation of transaction impacts – Provide accessible diagrams or intuitive visuals to support multiple learning and comprehension styles.
Confirmation flows with clear explanations of consequences – Implement accessible, structured steps that help prevent errors through user feedback.

Universal benefit: Clearer understanding for everyone, fewer mistakes, faster cognitive processing.

Design for: Users with varying levels of technical expertise and digital literacy.

Implementation:

Privacy features that are on by default but explained clearly and accessibly – Reduce decision fatigue and improve understanding for non-expert users.
Accessible explanations of concepts like address reuse – Present privacy education in plain language, supporting both screen reader users and visual learners.
Visual indications of privacy status – Use accessible status indicators (color, text labels, icons) that support both visual and non-visual users.

Universal benefit: Stronger privacy practices with lower barriers to understanding and safer defaults.

Design for: Users with low vision, color blindness, motor impairments, or limited device control.

Implementation:

High contrast modes and adjustable text sizes – Use sufficient contrast ratios and text scaling to support visual accessibility.
Larger tap targets that reduce potential for errors – Ensure target size meets touch accessibility guidelines, aiding users with mobility impairments.
Keyboard navigation for power users and those with motor limitations – Ensure full navigability through logical tab order and visible focus states.

Universal benefit: More accurate, inclusive interactions that work for a wider range of abilities and environments.

Design for: Users in regions with poor connectivity or in situational limitations (e.g., travel, emergencies).

Implementation:

Progressive web apps that work offline – Improve accessibility by ensuring some critical functions are available without active network connections.
Minimal data requirements for core functions – Reduce cognitive and technical load by optimizing core workflows and reducing dependency on heavy data processing.
Alternative communication methods – Support offline or device-to-device transactions (QR, NFC, Bluetooth) to maintain functionality under diverse conditions.

Universal benefit: More resilient, accessible applications with faster performance and broader usability.

“If Bitcoin is to succeed as universally accepted global money, it must be accessible to everyone.”