In this post, I will explore how to unify the bridging aggregator user experience by solving the fundamental problems users encounter with cross-chain platforms. User experience is critical for the multichain ecosystem to grow.
This post will look at design principles, the role of middleware, and other emerging UX trends that will enable users to navigate through bridges without hassle and experience complete peace of mind as if they were using a single chain.
What is a Bridging Aggregator ?
A bridging aggregator serves as a unifying interface that joins several blockchain bridges to provide a single routing solution for asset transfers.
Unlike the tedious process of individually checking every bridge, users now have a single point of access wherein the aggregator chooses the optimal route based on fees, speed, and liquidity amongst others.
By reducing cross-chain interaction complexity, bridging aggregators improve multichain fragmentation as well as risk for the user.
Crypto aggregators include LI.FI, Socket, and Rango which allows transfer of tokens, NFTs and even contract calls through multiple Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks.
How To Unify Bridging Aggregator User Experience
A wonderful example of unifying bridging aggregator user experience is AggLayer’s Unified Bridge. Let’s summarize it with key bullet points:
- Cross-Chain Compatibility Enables effortless asset transfers between Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains.
- Liquidity Unification – Combats the fragmentation problem by consolidating liquidity across several chains.
- User-Friendly Interface – Briding is streamlined through a single, easy to use interface.
- Security & Trust – Transactions are safeguarded with smart contracts.
- Fast Transactions – Designed for low latency to enable quick asset transfers.
The Core UX Goals for Bridging Aggregators
1. Simplicity & Ease of Use
- User action restriction to a few clicks: Users should only indicate what they intend to perform not narrate the process step-by-step.
- Conceal intricate details: Users do not need to see information like bridges, gas counts, and chains unless they need to.
2. Uniformity Over Chains and Routes
- Consistent transaction sequence: Approvals, swaps, and bridging should follow the same flow no matter the route.
- Predictable UI behavior across blockchains: Ethereum-to-Arbitrum and Polygon-to-Optimism transitions should offer similar experiences.
3. Trust & Transparency
- Obvious and justifiable route recommendations: Justify why certain routes are suggested using fees, speed, and reliability.
- Warn users on dangerous transactions: Alert clients on high slippage, failed bridges, or unusual fees.
- Visual progress tracking: Users need to track progress visually alongside description like “Bridging in progress,” “Swap complete.”
4. Responsiveness and Speed
- Instantaneous interface reaction: UI should respond right away to user commands.
- Accuracy in real-time updates: Live and precise information on bridge statuses, token balances, and gas estimations.
5. Error Handling & Recovery
- Helpful errors: Explain problems in simple terms (e.g, “Insufficient gas on source chain”).
- Fallback options: Offer other suggested bridges or transaction retry options when transactions fail.
6. Minimal Cognitive Load
- Smart defaults: Best routes, amounts, and gas fees should be auto-selected.
- Pre-filled fields & token recognition: Streamline users’ choices by eliminating unnecessary options.
7. Seamless Wallet & Network Management
- Auto chain switching: Smoothly prompt users to change networks.
- Session persistence: Retain wallet and user preferences across sessions.
The Role of Aggregator Middleware
1. Smart Routing Logic
- Provides automated checks for all available paths through various DEXs and bridges.
- Transforms into user-set preferences path selection optimized on speed, cost, success rate, liquidity and other metrics.
- Works in tandem with frontend systems to hide irrelevant options improving user experience and providing clarity.
2. Hiding Complexity
- In the process of bridging and swapping, the gas estimations, token approvals, and relay contracts are all simplified.
- Fuels simplified exposing layers of multichain logic, enabling SDKs or APIs to connect without intricate designs.
3. Transaction Orchestration
- Orchestrates multi-step actions such as approving tokens, swapping, bridging, and then performing a final swap at the destination.
- Responsible for proper order control and state transition supervision across chains and different contracts.
4. Data Aggregation & Analytics
- Collects raw data for performance metrics like average bridging time and success rates.
- Allows front-ends to show real-time route quality and incentivize users based on their engagement metrics.
Future of Unified UX in Bridging
The future of unified UX in bridging is focused on making users interactions with different chains feel effortless and purely goal-driven.
Users will no longer select bridges or chains—they will only set a goal, for instance “Achieve 100 USDC on Arbitrum”, Smart wallets along with account abstraction will manage everything seamlessly behind the scenes in a fully automated fashion.
There will no longer be the need for separate interfaces as bridging will be integrated directly within dApps. AI along with predictive algorithms will optimize routes in relation to cost, time, and user interaction.
With the increasing number of modular chains and rollups, bridging will be a background operation, transforming the fragmented multichain paradigm into a cohesive layer in Web3 that integrates user interaction and complexity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bridging all elements of the aggregator’s UI/UX requires reducing intricate processes into simple workflows, removing the need for manual cross-chain operations, and providing a fluid experience throughout different chains.
Clarity, trust, and automation can hide the complexity within cross-chain processes, making them more streamlined and integrated. The goal is clear: Utilization of infrastructure is reduced for users, and shifts the focus to the results they desire. In essence, we’re looking to achieve a helpful, effortless multichain ecosystem.
