The premise is powerful. Our COO often points out that stablecoins aren’t truly global currencies. They inherit the hierarchy of the dollar. Circles flips that model: it turns relationships and reputation into value. I vibe with people, and now that’s… money?!
The problem was that users couldn’t get past the conceptual complexity. Too many features appeared at once, creating cognitive overload and drop-off. Instead of trying to “teach Web3,” I focused on delivering instant utility.
I repositioned Circles as a reward currency:
Users automatically generate 1 CRC per hour - forever - and can spend it on deals in the marketplace. No explanations required. Just: earn & spend.
To support deeper discovery, I redesigned the architecture into a progressive journey. Users land on clear, immediate value (creation + marketplace), while features like Trust, Groups, and Backing live in modular “Do more with Circles” cards. This made the journey scannable, curiosity-driven, and driven by action rather than education.
What used to be a confusing, abstract Web3 product now feels like an everyday rewards experience, with advanced social currency mechanics revealed only when the user shows intent.
