Let’s be real: launching a crypto wallet today is nothing like it was even two years ago.
Back then, it was enough to show off a slick UI, enable basic token transfers, and call it “Web3 ready.” Now? Investors are smarter. Users are pickier. The market is crowded. And the bar has been raised.
If you’re serious about launching a wallet — not just as a product, but as a venture-backed company — you’ve got to understand what the people holding the checkbooks actually want to see.
I’m Felicia Thomson, and I’ve worked alongside teams building Web3 tools that get taken seriously. So in this piece, I’m walking you through 10 things investors are quietly (and sometimes loudly) expecting from your crypto wallet startup — whether you’re pre-funding or scaling up.
Let’s jump in.
1. Solve a Specific, Valuable Problem
Investors aren’t here for generic ideas. They don’t back “yet another wallet.” They back something that solves a real-world pain point.
So ask yourself:
- Are you helping non-technical users manage assets without confusion?
- Are you addressing wallet recovery in a better, safer way?
- Are you making DeFi more accessible to small businesses?
The narrower the problem and the clearer the benefit, the more your idea sticks. Your wallet shouldn’t just exist — it should matter.
2. Show That You Understand Trust is Everything
A wallet is not a game. It’s not even “just another app.” It holds assets, identities, power. And with that comes a simple truth: if users don’t trust it, they won’t touch it — and neither will investors.
So think beyond encryption. Show that:
- Private keys are 100% under the user’s control
- Your team understands phishing, front-end vulnerabilities, and social engineering
- There are recovery options that don’t sacrifice decentralization
Security isn’t a line item. It’s your entire reputation. And investors are watching closely.
3. Know How You’ll Make Money — Even If You’re Not Yet
“How will this make money?” is still the most basic — and most avoided — investor question.
You don’t need ten revenue streams. You need one believable one.
Are you charging fees on swaps or transfers? Will you offer premium features to pro users or institutions? Is there a play for white-label licensing? Are you building toward a tokenized ecosystem?
If the plan is “get users first, figure out monetization later,” you’ll lose investor confidence fast.
4. Build a Team That Can Ship and Scale
No one wants to fund a solo dreamer — they want a team that can build, adapt, and deliver. That means:
- A technical co-founder or CTO with real blockchain experience
- A product person who understands user pain like second nature
- Advisors or backers who lend real-world credibility
Even a small, scrappy team is investable — if it shows complementary strengths and the ability to execute under pressure.
5. Design an Experience That Feels Effortless
User experience in Web3 still has a long way to go — and that’s exactly your advantage.
If your wallet is simple, beautiful, and frictionless, you immediately stand out. Investors notice the difference between “usable” and “delightful.”
Think:
- One-click onboarding
- Clean, mobile-first UI
- Clear feedback loops (no “transaction pending” confusion)
People don’t want to learn how to use wallets. They want to get things done. Give them that — and investors will lean in.
6. Play Nicely with Others: Cross-Chain and Integrations
Single-chain products are fading fast. Investors want wallets that support the way people actually use crypto today — across ecosystems.
So if your roadmap includes:
- Native support for Ethereum, BNB, Solana, etc.,
- Easy dApp connectivity
- Swap or bridge features without third-party complications
You’re not just building a wallet — you’re building infrastructure that connects everything.
That’s the kind of vision investors can rally behind.
7. Be Ready for Regulation (Even If It’s Still Evolving)
Whether you’re targeting retail or enterprise, regulation is part of the conversation now.
Smart founders are showing they’ve thought about:
- KYC/AML flows (and how to make them user-friendly)
- Data privacy compliance (think GDPR)
- Jurisdiction strategies (especially for global launches)
No one expects you to be a legal expert. But they do expect awareness and proactivity. Show you’ve spoken with legal counsel, or have a compliance partner in mind.
8. Know What Your Users Will Actually Do in Your Wallet
DAUs. Session time. Retention. These aren’t just user metrics — they’re business signals.
Are you giving users reasons to come back daily? Are they doing more than just checking balances? Are you integrating DeFi, NFT management, staking, or other features that create habits?
The wallets that win don’t just sit there. They enable something valuable every single day.
9. Have a Go-To-Market Strategy That Goes Beyond Discord
Yes, you need community. But you also need strategy.
What investors look for:
- A launch plan (public beta, waitlist, community incentives)
- Smart content marketing (educational, valuable, SEO-ready)
- Ecosystem partnerships (protocols, influencers, dApps)
Having a beautiful wallet is great. But having a path to 10K users in 90 days? That’s what raises money.
10. Show That the Wallet Is Just the Start
The best crypto wallets aren’t just wallets. They’re entry points to something bigger.
Think:
- A full-stack DeFi platform
- A crypto banking layer for businesses
- An identity or login solution for Web3 apps
- A foundation for your own token ecosystem
Investors don’t just back products. They back platforms. So give them the bigger story. Help them see that this wallet is your wedge into something much more ambitious.
Final Thoughts from My Perspective
I’ve seen great ideas fizzle out because they didn’t speak the language investors wanted to hear. And I’ve seen “boring” wallets get funded because they were built right, communicated well, and made sense as a business.
If there’s one thing to remember, it’s this:
Crypto wallet development isn’t just about code. It’s about clarity.
Clarity of problem, clarity of user need, clarity of business model, and clarity of vision.
Build with that in mind, and your wallet won’t just launch. It’ll lead.
10 Must-Know Investor Expectations Before You Build a Crypto Wallet was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
