Samsung Wallet to enable USDC transfers on 82 million Galaxy phones
From the last week of October, eligible US users will be able to send USDC through Samsung Wallet on as many as 82 million compatible Galaxy devices. Samsung will not charge fees for transfers to crypto wallets, and recipients without wallets can receive funds as local-currency bank deposits in more than 60 countries. Bastion will handle custody with Coinbase as sub-custodian, while Solana and Sui provide the blockchain infrastructure.
Samsung first showed the capability in July at Galaxy Unpacked, demonstrating a USDC transfer without naming a launch window or partners. The rollout now targets eligible adult US residents with a Samsung account, a compatible Galaxy device running Android 13 or later, and completed identity checks. Initially, the focus is cross-border transfers.
Bastion will safeguard the stablecoins, with Coinbase acting as sub-custodian through Coinbase Prime Vault. Samsung says it will not hold customer funds, and each transfer requires biometric verification on a registered handset. Solana and Sui are providing blockchain support, while partner or bank charges and network conditions may affect costs and arrival times.
If adoption follows the device footprint, stablecoin transfers could become a routine phone feature for millions of Galaxy owners, while recipients in dozens of countries may receive funds without managing crypto wallets. That could lower some cross-border payment friction, but outcomes may depend on partner fees, network speed, identity checks, and local rules. Banks, remittance services, and wallet providers might face new competition, while users could gain convenience alongside custody and compliance risks.