VaultGo - Self-Custody Onboarding & Recovery for First-Time Holders
AI-Native Onboarding for Self-Custody Wallets
Built a focused onboarding, recovery-phrase backup and PIN/biometric setup flow for a Japanese self-custody wallet - designed to convert first-time holders into confident self-custodians, shipped in 8 weeks.
Most of our work is under NDA. Per agreement, we can share the work but not the company details - all names and identifying information shown here have been changed.
Impact
1 week scope, 2 weeks clickable AI prototype, 5 weeks production build with secure-element integration.
First-time holder onboarding completion lifted by 34% versus the previous flow.
Recovery phrase, PIN and biometrics with hardware-backed keystore on iOS and Android.
Built to JFSA crypto-asset service guidelines and AML/KYC requirements.
The Problem
VaultGo's first-time users were dropping out of onboarding because recovery-phrase setup felt opaque and scary, and PIN/biometric flows looked like an afterthought rather than a safety story.
Our Solution
We redesigned onboarding from scratch - clear hero language, step-by-step recovery-phrase backup with confirmation, and PIN + biometric setup positioned as a single security layer - validated through a clickable AI prototype before any production code.
The Challenge: Onboarding First-Time Holders
Most wallet onboardings feel like they were written by lawyers. VaultGo's users needed a flow that felt safe, clear, and confident without dumbing anything down.
Recovery Phrase Anxiety
First-time holders see 12 random words and don't know what they mean, why they matter, or where to store them. The flow had to teach without lecturing.
PIN vs Biometrics
Users were unsure whether to choose a PIN, biometrics, or both - and the previous flow forced a binary choice with no explanation.
Drop-off at Confirmation
Recovery-phrase confirmation screens were the highest drop-off point. Users abandoned mid-flow rather than re-typing words they did not understand.
JFSA Compliance
Japan's JFSA imposes specific obligations on crypto-asset service providers, including AML/KYC and disclosure requirements at onboarding.
Our Approach: 3 Phases in 8 Weeks
Discovery & Scope
Week 1: embedded with VaultGo's product, security and customer-success teams. Mapped every drop-off point in the existing onboarding flow.
AI-Driven Clickable Prototype
Weeks 2–3: built a fully interactive prototype of the new onboarding, with three iterations of copy and visuals tested via clickable walkthrough before any production code.
Production Build & Launch
Weeks 4–8: shipped the production onboarding flow on iOS and Android with hardware-backed keystore integration, biometrics, and JFSA-aligned disclosures.
Why It Works: Outcome-Based Differentiation
Speed to Value
Onboarding redesigns at this scope typically take 4–6 months. We delivered a clickable AI prototype in 3 weeks and a production flow in 8.
AI-First Prototyping
Every screen - hero, recovery phrase, PIN, biometrics - was validated in the prototype before any production code. Three rounds of copy iteration happened in the prototype, not in production.
Single Accountable Team
Design, AI prototyping, mobile engineering and security-review under one roof - no handoff between an agency and a crypto-engineering vendor.
Outcome-Based Engagement
VaultGo paid for milestones and a measurable lift in onboarding completion, not hours. Our incentives were tied directly to first-time holder activation.
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