Introduction


The future of personal finance is evolving rapidly, and crypto wallets are at the center of that shift. When PIXL8 Partners approached me to lead the UX and UI design for the OpenNode BTC Wallet app—a multi-functional Bitcoin and USD wallet experience—we saw a chance to design something that felt equal parts intuitive, secure, and empowering.


As both Executive Producer and UX/UI Lead, I had the opportunity to shape not just the interface, but the entire product journey. From onboarding to KYC to micro-interactions within each screen, we built an experience that would meet users where they are while giving them the tools to participate confidently in the Bitcoin ecosystem.


The Mission


PIXL8’s directive was clear: design a seamless mobile crypto wallet experience for both iOS and Android that made buying, selling, and managing Bitcoin as easy as opening a bank app. But unlike a traditional banking interface, the OpenNode app had to:

* Comply with regulatory and KYC requirements
* Onboard new users quickly with multiple ID verification flows
* Offer gesture-based navigation and clean visual clarity
* Support sending and receiving payments via QR, wallet address, or username
* Display real-time wallet activity and processing status across Bitcoin and USD
* Be developer-ready with full spec exports for efficient build
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This wasn’t just an app—it was an ecosystem interface. And our job was to make it both beautiful and bulletproof.


My Role


As UX/UI Lead, I architected the entire product flow: sketching user journeys, wireframing layouts, defining the interface logic, and building screen maps. Each decision was grounded in usability best practices, regulatory constraints, and performance goals.


As Executive Producer, I managed team alignment, scoped and tracked deliverables, interfaced with client stakeholders, and made sure the entire project moved from whiteboard to delivery without breaking stride—or budget.


Our Approach


UX Foundations


We began with deep whiteboard sessions to map out flows and dependencies. From onboarding to transaction management, every user touchpoint was mapped, sketched, and tested across:

* User Journey Maps
* Flow Charts
* Wireframes
* First-Time User Experience (FTUX) onboarding logic

We prioritized accessibility and clarity, ensuring the app was easy to navigate while still meeting all compliance requirements, including ID scanning and SSN verification.


UI Design & Visual System


Once wireframes were approved, we created a robust design system built in Sketch, complete with:

* Component libraries
* Custom illustrations
* Micro-interactions and transitions
* Alternate splash screen and branding explorations
* Gesture-based navigation mechanics

These UI assets were exported and documented in Zeplin for developers to code against precisely. From field spacing to hover states, every pixel was accounted for.


Platform-Specific Design


We delivered two complete design packages for both iOS and Android, with variations optimized for each platform’s UX standards and native gestures.
Each platform included flows for:

* Onboarding & Sign-In
* KYC Identity Verification
* Home Dashboard (BTC & USD wallets)
* Activity Feed (Buy/Sell/Deposit/Withdraw)
* Payment Paths (Send/Receive/Search/Scan)
* Funding & Linking Accounts (Bank, Card, Plaid, Direct Deposit)
* Settings, Limits, and Help


Deliverables


All deliverables were completed and handed off as fully organized and labeled files, including:

* Sketch Files (for internal updates)
* Zeplin Exports (for developers)
* Video Demos (for stakeholder preview and review)
* Prototypes (for user testing)

The work was scoped to stay within budget while delivering as much incremental value as possible—even exploring optional branding ideas and splash screens beyond the initial request.


Outcomes

✔ A complete iOS and Android design system ready for immediate dev implementation
✔ Compliant and intuitive KYC onboarding
✔ Visual storytelling and brand-forward design across every screen
✔ Robust FTUX and payment workflows optimized for mobile crypto adoption
✔ Long-term scalability with modular design structure and editable source files


Key Learnings

* Design with regulation in mind: Compliance doesn’t have to kill good design—but you need to build it into the UX from day one.
* Keep dev teams in the loop: Using Zeplin and layered Sketch files kept handoff tight and efficient.
* Micro-interactions matter: Small touches—like feedback after a successful transfer—add confidence and reduce friction.
* Simplicity wins: The world of crypto is complex. The interface shouldn’t be.


Final Thoughts


Designing the OpenNode BTC Wallet app was a deeply rewarding experience. It pushed us to balance functionality, trust, speed, and delight—all in a space where the margin for error is razor-thin.


If you’re developing a fintech or crypto product and want to build something user-centered, developer-ready, and brand-aligned, I’d love to talk.


Let’s make complex feel simple—together.