Trust remains a primary barrier to broader crypto adoption, as reported by representatives from the National Cryptocurrency Association, Circle, U.S. Bank and ChangeNOW at Consensus 2026 in Miami.
Ali Tager of the National Cryptocurrency Association stated research shows “the number one barrier to non-crypto holders is they just do not get it,” citing complexity, jargon and misinformation as persistent challenges.
Panelists from Circle, U.S. Bank and ChangeNOW stated trust is built gradually through user experience rather than technical claims. Britt Cambas of Circle stated “you are not going to get technical trust in 30 seconds,” emphasizing clarity and reducing complexity as prerequisites for adoption.
Rachel Castro of U.S. Bank stated trust is central to financial services and “very easily broken,” adding that rebuilding it takes significantly longer once lost.
Speakers highlighted customer support and human interaction as critical differentiators in crypto platforms. Pauline Shangett of ChangeNOW stated “the primary factor of trust for me when it comes to a web3 project is a feeling that you are working with real people,” pointing to gaps in user support across the industry.
Cambas stated reducing ambiguity in products and partnerships is key, noting that simplifying complex systems can drive adoption more effectively than new features.
Panelists also pointed to education as a necessary step for onboarding new users. Tager stated the industry must “make it super simple, make it accessible, make it trustworthy” to reach mainstream audiences.
The discussion, moderated by Ashley Wright, focused on designing systems that prioritize transparency, usability and communication, with speakers agreeing that trust must be embedded across product design, customer engagement and regulatory frameworks rather than treated as a standalone feature.
