Experts at Delphi Digital note that the crypto industry is entering an aggregation phase, where the key value shifts to control over the user interface and distribution channels. As on-chain access becomes cheaper, platforms that capture user attention and connect services in one place gain an advantage. In this context, the technology stack has matured enough to enable full-fledged super apps — aggregating layers that combine various protocols and products.
What Are Super Apps in Cryptocurrency?
A super app in the crypto context is not a single monolithic application from one company, but an aggregating layer that unites the best open market protocols into a unified interface. The user receives a common digital identity, a single balance, and a working environment where on-chain actions are performed without constant switching between services. This format reduces interaction complexity and increases the likelihood that the user stays within the ecosystem.
Coinbase as an Example of a Super App
In its Q3 shareholder letter, the company effectively outlined its path toward becoming an Everything Exchange: Coinbase combines spot trading, derivatives through Coinbase Advanced and integrations with Deribit, payments based on USDC and Coinbase Commerce, as well as project launches via Echo and the Base ecosystem. Delphi Digital views this combination of services as a clear signal of consolidation at the application level; Coinbase itself aims to become a super app and a hub of user activity.
The integration of derivatives, payments, and project launch mechanisms allows the platform to gather various use cases in one place — from simple transfers to complex on-chain action chains. This product consolidation enhances convenience and gives the platform control over service distribution, which experts believe strengthens network effects and user retention. More on the role of derivatives in this strategy can be found in the article about the role of derivatives.
Benefits of Super Apps for Users
- Simplified interaction: fewer service switches and a unified interface for on-chain operations.
- Retention and convenience: users have access to a full set of actions in one place, lowering the entry barrier for complex scenarios.
- Ability to combine products: protocols and services are composed into action chains within a single environment.
The Future of Cryptocurrency Super Apps
Super apps have the potential to become the main interface for accessing DeFi, RWA, payments, and derivatives, as aggregation simplifies connecting new services through protocol integration. Unlike traditional finance, where scaling requires licenses and acquisitions, in crypto adding features often comes down to protocol integration, accelerating the launch of new capabilities. These changes create conditions for ecosystem consolidation and the development of new products with minimal operational barriers.
Market participants should closely watch the overall super app race, as dominant platforms may become entry points for most on-chain services and influence how users interact with protocols.
Why This Matters
For a miner with 1–1000 devices in Russia, the super app format does not directly change the mining process but affects how earned assets are managed. If the ecosystem concentrates on large platforms, convenience in transferring, exchanging, and using funds within one environment may increase, and some tools will become more accessible without extra steps.
It is also important that for smaller products and services, integration with a dominant super app can be a logical growth path. This means when choosing wallets and services, consider how easily they integrate with aggregating platforms and support on-chain interactions.
What to Do?
- Control on-chain access: use wallets and services that provide direct protocol access and allow key management.
- Monitor integrations: pay attention to platforms combining trading, derivatives, and payments, and how this affects asset management convenience.
- Diversify access points: don’t keep everything in one service — maintain backup options for withdrawals and fund management.
- Evaluate operation convenience: as super apps grow, the ability to quickly transfer and combine assets within one environment is crucial.
- Security first: keep control over private keys and use trusted backup mechanisms.