Samsung Wallet Adds USDC for 82M Galaxy Users, No Extra App Needed

Starting in the final week of October, Samsung Wallet will allow 82 million eligible US Galaxy devices to send USDC overseas without requiring a separate cryptocurrency app. However, identity verification is still mandatory.

Coinbase described USDC as the first stablecoin to be supported by Samsung Wallet. The 82 million figure refers to compatible devices, not the number of users who will actually activate the feature.

Who Actually Operates the USDC Service Inside Samsung Wallet?

Your Samsung Wallet is getting an upgrade.

USDC will be added to Samsung Wallet as the first supported stablecoin – powered by Coinbase.

Available soon in the US. pic.twitter.com/9LwptbUuuR

— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) October 8, 2026

Coinbase stated the feature is "powered by Coinbase," and CEO Brian Armstrong repeated that phrasing. Samsung's own announcement tells a more layered story.

We’re working with Samsung to bring USDC to Samsung Wallet, powered by Coinbase. https://t.co/KBS8uWZIs3

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) October 8, 2026

According to Samsung, Bastion runs the accounts. That firm is a licensed custodian that safeguards stablecoins for clients and provides the payment infrastructure. Bastion holds a New York trust charter and counts Andreessen Horowitz and Coinbase Ventures among its investors.

Coinbase, in turn, acts as sub-custodian. In practice, Bastion entrusts the USDC itself to Coinbase, which holds it in its Prime Vault.

Meanwhile, Solana claimed the transfers will be conducted on its network. Samsung, however, names both Solana and Sui, along with other infrastructure partners.

BREAKING: Samsung partners with Solana to bring stablecoins to 82 million US Galaxy devices.

Samsung Wallet users in the US will be able to send money across borders using USDC on Solana, beginning the last week of October. pic.twitter.com/r5KSR92V58

— Solana (@solana) October 8, 2026

Users can send USDC from Samsung Wallet to crypto wallets abroad without a fee from Samsung. Additionally, they can move funds to bank accounts in more than 60 countries, where recipients receive local currency.

“We’re bringing USDC transfers into Samsung Wallet so eligible Galaxy users can get started without installing another app.”

Woncheol Chai, head of Samsung’s Digital Wallet Team, via Samsung

Can Stablecoins Beat Banks on Remittance Costs?

Bank transfer fees differ based on destination and amount, Samsung says. As a result, the potential cost savings for Samsung Wallet users is unclear.

A Bank of Italy study found stablecoin remittances can cost up to 9%, with no clear advantage over banks.

Samsung’s stablecoin plans have previously drawn attention. In July, the company rejected Open USD partnership claims from that stablecoin’s backers.

For now, the service only covers transfers. Tap-to-pay in stores remains a future plan, the company says. Apple, by contrast, has not announced stablecoin support for Apple Pay.

On the balance sheet, however, memory chips for artificial intelligence (AI) still drive Samsung’s Q3 earnings.

Even so, Samsung Wallet moves stablecoins out of exchange apps and into an app that ships on Galaxy phones. If US users adopt it, rival wallets may face pressure to follow.