Rachel Conlan on Crypto Creators, Trust, and Binance’s Path to Mass Adoption

At the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, Binance joined a broader discussion around content creation and digital platforms. Ahead of Binance’s panel, Unlock Blockchain spoke with Rachel Conlan, Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, to understand how the company approaches crypto creators, product design, payments, and the road to mainstream adoption.

Throughout the conversation, Conlan consistently returned to trust as the central pillar of adoption—whether built through education, reinforced by product experience, or carried through the way creators communicate with their audiences.

Why Binance focuses on crypto creators, not labels

Conlan explained that Binance places little emphasis on the term “influencer,” which she sees as widely used but often imprecise. Instead, the company focuses on crypto creators who genuinely educate and engage communities. These are individuals deeply involved in the industry—attending and hosting events, sharing insights, and helping others understand the ecosystem.

What sets these crypto creators apart, she said, is the quality and integrity of their work. Accuracy, transparency, and a commitment to education are essential. Rather than simply sharing information, they shape meaningful conversations and contribute to the industry’s long-term growth.

The responsibility that comes with crypto content

Crypto creators, Conlan noted, operate in an environment where content can influence real financial decisions. While speculation exists in all financial markets, digital assets carry particular risks that require greater care.

From a communications perspective, she stressed the importance of sharing accurate information and clearly separating opinion from fact. Creators influence decisions across many areas of life, but in crypto, the responsibility is heightened. Transparency, avoiding the presentation of personal views as advice, and encouraging audiences to conduct their own research remain critical.

Education and user experience must evolve together

For Binance, education and user experience are not competing priorities. Conlan described them as closely linked, especially when the goal is mainstream adoption.

Education helps users build trust and confidence, often serving as the first step into crypto. Platforms like Binance Academy play a role in breaking down complexity and lowering entry barriers. User experience then builds on that foundation by removing intimidation and friction, particularly for those new to digital assets.

Designing crypto products for scale

When discussing mass adoption, Conlan emphasized that education alone is not enough. Products must solve real pain points without requiring users to understand blockchain technology.

She pointed to Binance’s scale—serving more than 300 million users globally—as a responsibility that demands constant innovation. Security, reliability, and intuitive design are essential at that level. The objective, she explained, is to allow users to engage confidently with crypto, even if they have no interest in its technical mechanics.

Why crypto payments matter?

Payments remain one of the most practical real-world use cases for digital assets. Conlan acknowledged how much the industry has progressed over the past five years, with increased participation from institutions and governments helping to build trust.

Still, she noted that crypto payments do not yet feel like second nature for many users. In her view, they become mainstream when they are seamlessly integrated into systems people already trust. Familiar experiences, combined with speed and simplicity, are key to driving everyday usage.

Crypto creators and community dynamics

As crypto products—especially payments—become faster and more intuitive, Conlan believes crypto creators continue to play an important role. She described the crypto community as similar to football fans: passionate, vocal, and deeply invested in the ecosystem.

In the industry’s early days, community members were the primary driving force behind adoption. As the market matures, that energy remains central. Crypto creators help interpret change, educate users, and keep communities engaged, even as products become more consumer-friendly.

Aligning creator messaging with product reality

When evaluating collaborations, Conlan said Binance prioritizes crypto creators who can communicate clearly and responsibly. The goal is not to compensate for product complexity with exaggerated messaging, but to enhance understanding.

Accuracy, transparency, credibility, and empathy for the user experience are the qualities Binance values most. Effective crypto creators simplify complex concepts and reflect product reality rather than overselling capabilities.

Use cases beyond trading and speculation

Beyond trading, Conlan highlighted cross-border payments and remittances as some of the most impactful crypto use cases today. Digital assets address long-standing challenges in traditional finance, particularly around the speed and cost of moving money across borders.

In some markets, crypto is also used to protect value against inflation, helping individuals preserve wealth during economic instability. These use cases vary by region but demonstrate how crypto is already embedded in everyday financial activity.

Lessons from Web3 gaming

Web3 gaming was once viewed as a gateway for mass crypto education through gamification. Conlan acknowledged its potential but said many projects asked too much of users upfront, requiring an understanding of wallets, tokens, and in-game economies before delivering value.

The lesson for consumer-facing crypto products, she explained, is that accessibility must come first. Education is most effective when embedded into the experience rather than positioned as a prerequisite.

The next phase of mainstream adoption

Looking ahead, Conlan sees mainstream crypto adoption emerging where crypto creators, product design, and user experience converge. Intuitive products make crypto usable, while creators continue to provide context, interpretation, and trust.

When these elements align, she believes digital assets move closer to becoming part of everyday financial life rather than remaining a niche interest.