Samsung Wallet to launch USDC stablecoin transfers for US Galaxy users

Samsung is turning its built-in wallet app into a cross-border remittance tool, allowing US Galaxy users to send USDC stablecoins directly from their phones starting in late October. The new feature will roll out to an estimated 82 million devices across the United States.

The integration represents Samsung's first major move to put digital dollars directly into the hands of everyday consumers, bypassing the complex setup usually required to interact with blockchains.

How the USDC transfer system works

Starting in the last week of October, eligible Galaxy users in the US will be able to send Circle's USDC stablecoin to compatible external crypto wallets or directly into bank accounts in more than 60 countries.

If sending to a bank account, the recipient will receive the funds in their local currency without needing to set up a crypto wallet or understand how the digital token was sent. Samsung says it will not charge any fees for USDC transfers to compatible external wallets, though third-party platforms or recipient exchanges may still apply their own charges.

To fund the transactions, users will buy the stablecoins through integrated cash-in and cash-out systems inside the app. Sending the money will require biometric authorisation on the phone, meaning users can authorise transfers with a fingerprint or face scan rather than managing complicated cryptographic private keys.

The infrastructure behind the payments

To make the service run, Samsung is using a combination of blockchain networks and regulated custody services. The Solana and Sui blockchains will provide the high-speed, low-cost network support to move the tokens.

Coinbase will handle the custody of the digital assets through its Coinbase Prime Vault, while stablecoin infrastructure startup Bastion will provide the regulated framework for the transactions.

By utilising USDC—the second-largest stablecoin by market value—Samsung is leaning on a token that is heavily used by financial institutions and widely preferred for its regulatory backing. Cross-border stablecoin payments have grown rapidly due to their speed and low transaction fees compared to traditional wire transfers.

Overcoming crypto's distribution problem

The update solves a problem that has plagued the cryptocurrency industry for years: finding a reliable way to get digital assets to mainstream users.

"Sending money abroad should feel as convenient as using the wallet already on your phone," said Woncheol Chai, head of Samsung Electronics' digital wallet team. "We’re bringing USDC transfers into Samsung Wallet so eligible Galaxy users can get started without installing another app."

Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, said stablecoins have already proven to be an efficient way to move money globally, but had previously lacked a direct pathway to mainstream adoption.

Industry executives believe embedding the technology directly into mobile operating systems is the logical next step. Kevin Lehtiniitty, chief executive of payments startup Borderless.xyz, said mass adoption was never going to come from users downloading standalone crypto apps. "It comes from the phone already in your pocket," he said, adding that he expects Apple and Google to eventually follow Samsung's lead.

Samsung has not yet said when the feature will expand to Galaxy users outside the US, noting that future rollouts will depend on local regulations. The company did, however, signal that it may eventually expand the service to support online stablecoin shopping and tap-to-pay retail transactions on Galaxy devices.