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● HIGH #DW-026 Sneaking

Intermediate Currency

Forcing users to buy virtual tokens to disconnect purchases from real-world money.

What Is Intermediate Currency?

Intermediate Currency is a dark pattern that falls into the Sneaking category. Forcing users to buy virtual tokens to disconnect purchases from real-world money. By exploiting specific cognitive biases, companies use this manipulative design technique to push users into decisions they wouldn't normally make.

Real-World Examples

✗ Dark Pattern

An interface employing the Intermediate Currency pattern purposely obscures the right choice and heavily pushes the user toward the manipulative action.

✓ Ethical Alternative

Clear, neutral design where all choices are presented equally without misleading framing or forced actions.

Severity Assessment

7.8

HIGH — Based on its impact on user autonomy and potential financial or privacy harm, this pattern is rated as HIGH.

Remediation

Replacing Intermediate Currency with ethical UX involves:

  1. Prioritizing user transparency and informed consent.
  2. Making opt-outs as easy as opt-ins.
  3. Removing asymmetric visual weights from critical choices.

Think your product might use Intermediate Currency? Book a UX audit →

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