The currency in PoE makes more sense if you view is purely as currency, and the fact that it can be used for crafting as secondary. Realistically, unless you have hundreds of hours in the game, thats how you should use it.

In other MMOs you would make money by farming iron ore, trading that ore for gold, and buying things with gold. OR you could craft something with the ore. In PoE, you farm, get a divine orb, and then can use the orb to craft, or it just is the currency. No gold conversion required.

There really isnt that much bartering to be done on the currency end. the market has some pretty set prices. 1 divine is 125 chaos. View them as gold and silver, and never use them for crafting and suddenly the economy is basically like any other game.

The actual trade mechanics on the other hand. The game director has said he actively wants it to be a miserable experience. Its literally a game for masochists who find fun in the struggle.