From complex processes to one-click access, DeFAI is creating a seamless experience akin to Google (with 5 promising projects to watch)

Author: Diego - DeFAI Maxi

Translation: TechFlow

Blockchain is not designed with user-friendliness at its core, and interacting with it remains challenging. But looking back in history, the early internet faced similar issues.

Before Google and other search engines emerged, users had to manually enter URLs to find websites. This process was extremely complex, limiting internet usage to only a small group of tech-savvy enthusiasts for a long time.

It wasn't until the emergence of search engines—simplifying the complexity of the internet through natural language interaction—that the internet truly entered mainstream life.

With the widespread adoption of the internet, Google became one of the most valuable companies in the world.

The Early Struggles of DeFi

Today's decentralized finance (DeFi) is in a stage similar to the early days of the internet.

Interacting with DeFi has high barriers—users need external Web3 wallets and must manually search for decentralized applications (dApps), yield opportunities, lower loan rates, and more.

This complex and fragmented user experience clearly limits mass adoption of DeFi.

If we could abstract away this technical complexity through natural language interaction, enabling users to explore DeFi as easily as using a search engine, could this technology finally benefit everyone?

• In the early 1990s, the potential of the internet was widely recognized, but poor user experience limited its growth. The emergence of Google changed that.

• Today, the potential of DeFi and blockchain is equally undeniable, but poor user experience remains the biggest obstacle to their widespread adoption. AI and DeFAI (AI-powered DeFi solutions) might become the "Google" of this space, driving DeFi forward.

Abstraction Is Key to Mass Adoption

Whether it's the internet revolution or the recent mass adoption of AI, their success hinges on one core principle: "abstraction" of complex technologies through natural language interaction.

• Google simplified the complexity of the internet via search engines.

• ChatGPT lowered the barrier to using AI through natural language generation.

The mass adoption of the internet and AI did not happen overnight. Before widespread use, these technologies typically required a long period of backend infrastructure development. For example, foundational research on the internet began in the 1960s and reached broad adoption in the 1990s; while AI's real breakthrough came in the 2010s, driven by advances like deep learning and large language models.

The starting point of DeFi can be traced back to the launch of @ethereum in 2015, with the "DeFi Summer" of 2020 marking another key milestone.

After nearly a decade of development, DeFi's backend technology has matured significantly, yet we still lack a method to abstract this technology into something more accessible and user-friendly for the general public.

DeFAI = The Google of DeFi

Natural language-based abstraction is the key to driving mass adoption—and this is exactly the core mission of DeFAI.

The main product of DeFAI is chat co-pilots. Users simply input plain instructions—such as "Swap 1000 USDC to ETH on Optimism"—to complete complex operations.

Traditional DeFi requires users to visit dApps individually, manage seed phrases, and assess platform security. This new model simplifies those processes through an abstraction layer.

This abstraction layer, much like Google, helps users accomplish tasks and recommends optimal options, making DeFi far easier to use.

Here Are the Most Advanced DeFAI Chat Co-Pilots Today

• @HeyAnonAI – ChatGPT for Crypto

Hey Anon is one of the earliest projects exploring DeFAI and abstraction layers. Their chat co-pilot will officially launch this Friday, February 7!

Users can input requests via text, and Hey Anon will provide the best solution. Notably, the product is completely free and open-source.

• @modenetwork – Interface Layer

Mode is a Layer 2 blockchain focused on the DeFAI space, aiming to provide blockchain architecture optimized for AI agents and AI integration.

One of its core products is the "Interface Layer" chat co-pilot, which allows users to execute transactions on Mode L2 using simple text commands.

Compared to traditional front-end interfaces, Mode introduces a completely new way of interaction, greatly enhancing blockchain usability.

• @orbitcryptoai – Co-pilot Everywhere

Just as there were multiple competitors in the early search engine landscape, the DeFAI space is also highly competitive due to its vast potential.

Orbit leads in technical stack, with its chat co-pilot already capable of interacting with over 200 protocols across more than 100 chains.

Currently, Orbit offers one of the most comprehensive solutions in the field and is worth watching closely.

• @Cod3xOrg – Agentic Interface

In my view, Cod3x is one of the most promising projects today. They are not just building chat co-pilots, but developing comprehensive solutions spanning multiple domains.

From portfolio management to creating AI agents, Cod3x aims to fundamentally transform how we interact with smart contracts and blockchains.

Currently, Cod3x is still in closed testing. If you're interested, join their Discord community to watch live demos and stay updated on development progress.

• @askthehive_ai – Trading-Focused Chat Co-Pilot

The Hive is the last DeFAI chat co-pilot we'll analyze today, distinguished by its focus on trading.

It introduces the concept of "Smart Trading," a new form of trading powered by AI.

With The Hive, traders no longer need to analyze charts, news, or order books. Instead, they can rely on the co-pilot to optimize trading decisions and achieve more efficient market profits.

The Future Potential of DeFAI

I'd like to conclude this article by sharing my optimistic outlook on DeFAI.

DeFi, smart contracts, and blockchain are disruptive technologies that will profoundly change how we manage money and assets.

However, DeFi today remains too complex and risky for widespread use—it hasn't yet become technology for everyone. DeFAI has a clear mission:

1. Simplify access to DeFi, enabling ordinary users to participate easily and democratizing the technological advancements made over the past decade.

2. Improve DeFi security by building trust in co-pilots through technology and protecting users from scams.

I believe that with the rapid development of DeFAI, we may be standing at the beginning of a new bull market.