Samsung Wallet to add USDC transfers for 82 million US Galaxy devices

What happened

Samsung Electronics plans to add USDC transfers to Samsung Wallet in late October, letting eligible Galaxy users in the United States send money to crypto wallets and bank accounts overseas. The service will be available across 82 million US Galaxy devices. Crypto.news reported the company's Oct. 7 announcement, while Coinpedia reported that Coinbase announced the partnership on 8 October 2026.

Eligible users can send USDC to compatible crypto wallets without paying a transfer fee to Samsung, and to qualifying bank accounts in more than 60 countries. Coinbase Prime will custody the USDC through Bastion, with Solana and Sui providing blockchain infrastructure support. USDC will be the first supported stablecoin in the wallet and will appear as the default dollar stablecoin under the Buy Stablecoin option. Funds will be safeguarded using Coinbase Prime Vault.

Coinpedia reported that users can send USDC to contacts directly from their phones without entering long wallet addresses.

Why it matters

The service puts stablecoin transfers inside a wallet that millions of Galaxy owners already have. Samsung said the integration removes the need for users to manage private keys themselves, and eligible owners can access transfers without installing a separate cryptocurrency application.

Bank account recipients can receive funds in their local currency without needing to hold cryptocurrency or install a wallet, according to Crypto.news. Crypto.news also said the service will include fiat on-ramps and off-ramps.

Samsung is considering future stablecoin payments at online and physical stores, with international expansion subject to local regulations. Woncheol Chai, executive vice president and head of Samsung's Digital Wallet Team, said the company wanted sending money abroad to feel as convenient as using the wallet on the phone.

What the data shows

Coinbase said USDC circulation grew 72% in 2025, reaching more than $75 billion. Wallets holding USDC rose 59% to nearly 7 million.

The service covers 82 million US Galaxy devices and bank transfers to more than 60 countries.

Background

Coinbase and Samsung first worked together when Samsung Pay became a payment option on Coinbase, Coinpedia reported. They later extended their partnership by offering Coinbase One benefits to more than 82 million Galaxy users in the US through Samsung Wallet.

USDC is designed to keep a 1:1 value with the U.S. dollar and is backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries. Bastion is a licensed stablecoin infrastructure and custody provider overseen by U.S. financial regulators and provides the cross-border payment framework, with Coinbase serving as its official sub-custodian.

What is still unclear

• Crypto.news said Samsung has not published a complete list of supported destination countries or detailed fees for the bank transfer service in the supplied announcement.
• Crypto.news noted that recipient wallets and exchanges may impose separate charges, while processing times can depend on network conditions, and that applicable fees may vary by destination for bank transfers.
• Coinpedia reported that the companies say users can tap to pay with USDC for in-store payments, while Crypto.news reported that Samsung is considering future stablecoin payments at online and physical stores.

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