Ramp Network’s latest user study finds fear of scams and fraud blocks new crypto adopters. Platforms must lead with transparency to win user trust.
Ramp Network’s new report reveals that visible security and fraud prevention are top priorities for first-time crypto users, even more so than fees and user interface.
According to the report, security remains the number one barrier to entry for newcomers. Nearly half of respondents (46.8%) cited “security concerns” as the biggest frustration when attempting to buy crypto.
For 80% of respondents, the assurance of fraud protection and account security was the most important factor in deciding to make a first transaction.
Ramp’s findings highlight a gap in how platforms present their security features. While advanced users focus on interface design and speed, beginners prioritize visible safety measures.
These include two-factor authentication, fraud detection tools, regulatory licenses, and early-stage KYC checks.
“The thing about crypto that’s freaky is, I don’t know what’s safe,” one respondent said. Another added, “Security is more important than fees. I’m willing to pay slightly higher fees if I feel safer.”
Crypto’s ‘trust test’
Ramp’s internal data supports this pattern. Among users who made multiple transactions, 33% started with amounts under $100, only increasing after confirming the platform’s reliability.
This behavior reflects what Ramp calls the “trust test”—a small initial transaction used to validate safety before scaling up.
The report also found that user trust depends not just on robust back-end systems, but on how clearly these protections are communicated.
“It’s not enough to be secure — platforms must demonstrate that security up front,” the report notes.
Ramp, which is registered with FinCEN, the FCA, and the Central Bank of Ireland, says it has built its platform around compliance and fraud prevention to meet this need.
The company hopes that by prioritizing transparency and protection, it can help move crypto adoption beyond early adopters and into the financial mainstream.
