Why do we need a better login for Ethereum?

A year ago, when you wanted to use an ethereum app, you had the option to go to MEW and give an encrypted JSON with your private key (or giving it your private key directly which is even worse) or using Metamask. Metamask was (and is still is) great for technical users, but it is still a major pain point when onboarding. You need to understand what a seed phrase is, having to write it down before storing it in a secure place. You have to copy it to each of your devices (which is a security issue).

Surely, we can do better than this!

We did build other options for less technical users, however. Gnosis Safe, Argent, Portis, Authereum, Torus, Universal Login, Abridged, Shipl … there are so many, I’m sure I’ve probably missed some. But on the other hand, when I want to use an app, it often only supports Metamask. Which is sad if you want to send a cryptokitties on opensea.io using Torus with your google account. That’s not really a trending DeFi application, but it is still a use case that should be addressed.

So what do we do? Do we ask certain app developers to add support for more wallets? That would be great, except all apps would have to go through the same painful process and it is unlikely that they will do the effort for small wallet providers. If you believe that a user should be free to use any wallet on any app, this is not the way to go.

Wallet connect is a move in this direction but we think it does not go far enough (and is partly centralized).