Stablecoin transfers in Samsung Wallet launch in the last week of October. Users will be able to send USDC to wallets and to bank accounts in more than 60 countries, with Bastion handling cross-border infrastructure on Solana and Sui.
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A dollar stablecoin is about to arrive on tens of millions of American phones without anyone downloading a crypto app.
Samsung Electronics America said its Samsung Wallet will add stablecoin functionality for eligible U.S. Galaxy users starting in the last week of October, initially supporting USDC, the dollar token issued by Circle. The feature will be available across 82 million Samsung Wallet-compatible Galaxy devices in the U.S.
What users can do
Users will be able to send USDC to compatible wallets with no Samsung transfer fee, and send it to eligible bank accounts in more than 60 countries, where recipients receive local currency. Eligibility is limited to U.S. residents 18 and older using Android 13 or later who complete identity verification. Transfers to sanctioned jurisdictions are prohibited.
The 82 million figure counts compatible devices, not users. How many owners turn on the feature, verify their identity and move money will determine its scale.
The three layers
The service stacks three companies. Samsung owns the front end. Bastion, which Samsung describes as a licensed stablecoin custodian, powers the cross-border framework. Coinbase is the sub-custodian, "safeguarding all USDC in Samsung Wallet via Coinbase Prime Vault."
Coinbase said it "will power USDC as the default dollar stablecoin in the Samsung Wallet." The transfers will run on the Solana and Sui blockchains rather than Ethereum.
The fee waiver covers Samsung's own charges. Recipient banks, currency conversion or network costs may still apply.
Who earns what
The economics follow the coins. Circle earns interest on the reserves backing each USDC in circulation, so wider use adds to its float. Coinbase earns from custody and from its arrangement with Circle on USDC. Coinbase says USDC in circulation grew 72% in 2025 to more than $75 billion.
Circle and Coinbase shares each fell 3.9% on Wednesday, in line with a broad selloff in crypto-linked stocks.
Distribution Reach Versus Adoption
One reading is that this is the most direct route yet for a dollar stablecoin into mainstream U.S. consumer finance, turning USDC into a remittance rail built into a phone's default wallet.
Another reading is that reach and use are different things. Phone wallets have added payment features before with modest adoption, and identity checks and Android version limits narrow the eligible base below 82 million.
Launch markers
The launch in the last week of October is the first milestone. Any disclosure of active users or transfer volume, and whether Samsung adds other stablecoins or more countries, will show whether the feature becomes a payment habit or a menu option.