Designing an Open Financial System at Coinbase | Figma Blog

Coinbase’s mission to make cryptocurrency accessible depends on design that simplifies complex technology. The company found that Figma’s browser-based, collaborative workspace replaced fragmented tools with an open process involving designers, engineers, product managers, and leadership. This improved communication, alignment, and speed while supporting a more inclusive design culture.

Designing for an Open Financial System

• Coinbase aims to create an open financial system for the world.
• Its design principles are to:
  • Guide users through complex crypto concepts
  • Empower people to participate
  • Humanize technical experiences
  • Simplify blockchain and digital-currency interactions
• The company views design as essential to making cryptocurrency accessible beyond technical experts.

Moving from Siloed Design to Open Collaboration

• Coinbase’s previous workflow relied on separate tools for:
  • Designing
  • Prototyping
  • Developer handoff
• Switching between platforms created context loss, version-control problems, and communication overhead.
• Figma provided a shared, browser-based workspace where multiple people could work together and access the latest files through a link.
• This made design more transparent and encouraged feedback and participation from people outside the design team.

Faster Communication Across Teams

• Centralized files allowed designers, product managers, engineers, and executives to stay aligned on current work.
• Stakeholders could give feedback directly in Figma, reducing bureaucracy and shortening communication loops.
• Teams could speak “the same language” in the same location instead of relying on disconnected tools and handoffs.
• The result was faster iteration and clearer, more coordinated product development.

Collaborative Design Sessions

• Coinbase also used Figma for informal, ad hoc projects such as posters and company swag.
• Designers could gather in the Design Lounge, open a shared file, and create together in real time.
• These sessions demonstrated that collaborative tools could support creativity and team connection, not just formal product work.

Building a More Inclusive Design Culture

• Coinbase’s design team became faster, more nimble, and better aligned.
• Figma helped establish a collaborative process in which design was no longer created behind a “black box.”
• The team recognized that tools should empower designers and support an inclusive, diverse culture rather than add complexity.
• Coinbase presents Figma as an important foundation for continuing to scale its open design practice.