Native Trading Platform on Canton
A next-generation native trading platform built on the Canton Network for institutional digital asset management.
Client
Temple
Role
Sr. Product Designer
Scope
Product Design, UX Strategy, Design System
Year
2026
Duration
Ongoing (V2)
At Temple, we are building the highest quality infrastructure for institutional grade asset trading on Canton, a privacy-first blockchain network designed for regulated finance. I helped create the initial V1 design Temple App, which was then refined in close collaboration with CEO Evan Varsamis and developed by John Antoniou (CTO) and Mark Martinez (VP of Engineering).
The Challenge
Canton Network is a privacy-enabled blockchain designed for institutional finance, built by Digital Asset and backed by major financial institutions including Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Börse. Canton required a trading platform that could handle institutional-grade complexity while maintaining the accessibility of modern consumer fintech. The platform needed to support real-time order book visualization, cross-chain asset bridging, and multi-timeframe charting. All of this had to meet strict regulatory compliance requirements.
Design Process
Our design began with research into professional trading workflows, along with first-hand experience from previous volleys into fintech application design and user data. I mapped out the core user journeys, from wallet connection to trade execution, and identified key friction points in existing DeFi platforms. The initial concepts focused on progressive disclosure: showing essential information at a glance while keeping advanced tools one click away.
Process & Tools
Moving at startup speed, our project followed a quick design sprint methodology adapted for fintech constraints. Discovery began with adjacent competitive analysis of institutional platforms (Bloomberg Terminal, Refinitiv Eikon) alongside DeFi interfaces (dYdX, GMX). We took a minimal style approach to version 1, focusing on a clean modern design and the key interactive tools for leveraging Canton. Mockups were rapidly iterated to high-fidelity design in Figma. The component library was built using Auto Layout and component variants, enabling quick iteration across desktop, tablet, and mobile breakpoints. Daily design reviews and Loom walkthroughs kept stakeholders aligned across time zones.
My Role
I led the end-to-end product design, creating the initial V1 design system, component library, and interaction patterns. Working directly with Evan Varsamis (CEO), we refined the visual language to balance Temple's evolving brand identity with the functional requirements of professional traders.
The designs were handed off to John Antoniou and Mark Martinez for implementation on the Canton Blockchain. Async collaboration during development ensured design fidelity while adapting to technical constraints of the decentralized infrastructure. (Plus John and Mark are incredible developers).
Cross-Chain Bridge
A critical component of the platform is the bridge interface, allowing users to move assets between Ethereum and Canton Network. The design prioritizes transparency through showing fee breakdowns, estimated completion times, and clear status updates throughout the bridging process.
Mobile Experience
Mobile trading experience across dark and light themes, optimized for on-the-go portfolio monitoring
V1
Design System Created
3
Platform Variants (Web, iOS, Android)
Canton
Blockchain Network