Samsung Wallet USDC: 82M Galaxy Devices Get Stablecoin

Samsung Wallet now lets US Galaxy users send USDC across borders via Solana and Sui, with Coinbase custody and Bastion infrastructure. Here's what it means.

Samsung has flipped the switch on Samsung Wallet USDC transfers for US Galaxy users, turning tens of millions of phones into cross-border payment tools. Starting in the last week of October, owners of eligible Galaxy devices can send Circle's USDC stablecoin to crypto wallets or bank accounts in more than 60 countries. The move puts stablecoins directly in the hands of mainstream consumers — no separate app, no seed phrase.

What happened

Samsung announced that US Galaxy users will be able to send USDC across borders through Samsung Wallet. The feature launches on 82 million devices in the US, with built-in fiat on- and off-ramps converting to and from local currency. Solana and Sui provide the underlying blockchain support, Coinbase handles custody through Coinbase Prime Vault, and Bastion supplies the regulated stablecoin infrastructure. The Borderless.xyz network processes payouts in more than 60 countries.

On the receiving end, funds can land in compatible crypto wallets overseas or go straight into eligible bank accounts, with local currency paid out. Samsung says it won't levy fees for USDC transfers to compatible external wallets, though the receiving wallet or exchange might charge its own fees. Fees for international bank transfers depend on the destination and the amount.

Sending money requires a biometric check on a Galaxy device that has been registered. Only US residents 18 and up who own qualifying Galaxy devices running Android 13 or newer may use the service, and they must verify their identity.

Why it matters

For Samsung, this marks its first large-scale stablecoin deployment, after a July teaser at Galaxy Unpacked in London and an August statement about bringing stablecoin savings and payment features to hundreds of millions of phones. The company has been laying this groundwork since it introduced a blockchain wallet in 2019, later adding crypto support on the Galaxy S20, Stellar integration, hardware wallet connections, and Coinbase inside Samsung Wallet last October for 75 million US users.

The rollout comes as stablecoins are increasingly used for cross-border payments. Their low costs are highlighted in the IMF's annual report, and APAC is emerging as a testing ground for stablecoins within regulated finance. On Solana in particular, stablecoin supply has risen almost 20% year over year, and according to the Solana Foundation the network handled more than $5.25 trillion in stablecoin volume in 2026. PayPal, Western Union, and Visa have already turned to Solana for stablecoin applications.

"Stablecoins can make moving money globally faster and easier, and Galaxy users should benefit without dealing with traditional crypto complexity," said Woncheol Chai, head of the digital wallet team at Samsung Electronics' mobile business.

Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, added that stablecoins have proven blockchain is efficient for moving money quickly and cheaply, but were missing a path to mainstream adoption — which Samsung's partnership addresses.

Market reaction

Solana's native token, SOL, is trading at $114.91, down 2.44% over 24 hours on $2.93 billion in volume. Its market cap sits at $67.67 billion. The broader market appears to be digesting the news without a dramatic move, which is typical when a major partnership is already partially priced in after months of teasers.

What to watch next

Expansion beyond the US: Samsung has not said when the feature will roll out elsewhere. Future availability will depend on local regulation.
Stablecoin payments: Samsung said it may eventually allow stablecoin payments online and via tap-to-pay on qualifying Galaxy phones.
Competitive response: Kevin Lehtiniitty, CEO of Borderless.xyz, expects Apple and Google to follow, making international transfers as easy as texting.
Solana's ecosystem: The Saga arrived from Solana Mobile in 2023, followed by the Seeker last year; the company gave its SKR token to Seeker users via airdrop, leaving Saga owners out. Deeper ties between the two could spark additional activity.

Kyle Samani, co-founder of Multicoin Capital, noted that most people thought Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko's phone initiatives were dumb, but early work on the Solana Mobile Stack enabled the Samsung deal. Yakovenko himself has said most founder-led initiatives are dumb, but doing nothing is also dumb — a reminder that big partnerships often start as unpopular bets.

FAQ

What is Samsung Wallet USDC?

Samsung Wallet USDC is a feature that lets US Galaxy users send Circle's USDC stablecoin across borders directly from their phone. It uses Solana and Sui for blockchain support, Coinbase for custody, and Bastion for regulated stablecoin infrastructure, with payouts handled by Borderless.xyz in more than 60 countries.

Why did Samsung choose Solana and Sui for USDC transfers?

Samsung hasn't offered a public explanation for the decision, yet Solana's high throughput and low transaction costs suit payments well. According to the Solana Foundation, the network handled over $5.25 trillion in stablecoin volume in 2026, and stablecoin supply on Solana has climbed almost 20% year over year. Bringing in Sui hints that Samsung is after redundancy or particular capabilities from each network.

How does Samsung Wallet USDC affect Solana's price?

It is too early to say. SOL is trading at $114.91, down 2.44% in 24 hours, with $2.93 billion in volume. While increased stablecoin activity on Solana could be positive for the network's utility, short-term price movements depend on many factors. Traders should watch adoption metrics and whether the feature expands beyond the US.

Market snapshot

Prices at the time of writing (Oct 8, 2026 10:25 UTC).

Solana (SOL): $114.91 — 24h -2.44%

Trade SOL now →

Samsung Wallet USDC Goes Live on 82M Galaxy Devices