Samsung is preparing to offer international USDC transfers through Samsung Wallet to eligible Galaxy users in the United States. Scheduled to launch in the last week of October, the service will cover 82 million devices compatible with Samsung Wallet. Users will be able to send money from their phone’s wallet app to supported crypto wallets and eligible bank accounts abroad.
The new feature brings stablecoin transactions into Samsung’s existing mobile payment experience. Users will not need to download a separate crypto app or manage their own private keys. However, they will need to register an account and complete identity verification to access the service.
USDC transfers on Solana are coming
According to the Solana Foundation, Samsung Wallet and Samsung Pay will support stablecoin transactions on Solana. Samsung Wallet users in the United States will initially be able to send money across borders using USDC.
The integration will work through the same interface users rely on to manage their cards and other digital documents. Fiat on- and off-ramps, which allow conversion between traditional currencies and stablecoins, will also be part of the experience.
Users will therefore be able to send money without switching between different apps. Solana’s infrastructure will support transactions behind the scenes, while users complete the transfer process through Samsung Wallet.
The Solana Foundation views the integration as a development that could expand the use of stablecoins for everyday money transfers. The project focuses on bringing blockchain infrastructure into a payment interface that smartphone users already know.
Coinbase and Bastion will provide custody infrastructure
Bastion and Coinbase will support the service’s custody and money movement infrastructure. According to Samsung, Bastion will use Coinbase as its sub-custodian, with USDC assets held in Samsung Wallet protected through Coinbase Prime Vault.
In its own announcement, Coinbase said Samsung Wallet users will see USDC as the default dollar stablecoin when adding funds to their stablecoin balances. The company will use Coinbase Prime, its platform for institutional clients, to provide custody for the integration.
USDC is a stablecoin designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the U.S. dollar. Coinbase’s announcement highlights that the asset is backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasury securities, with monthly attestations published for its reserves.
The new service also expands the existing partnership between Samsung and Coinbase. Samsung Pay was previously added as a payment option in the Coinbase app, while eligible Galaxy users gained access to Coinbase One benefits through Samsung Wallet.
Coinbase says Samsung’s extensive device reach creates an important distribution channel for USDC. In the company’s view, the integration could help stablecoins reach a broader audience for cross-border money transfers.
Fees will differ for wallet and bank transfers
Samsung said it will not charge fees for USDC transfers to compatible external wallets. However, recipient wallet providers or exchanges may impose their own fees, while transaction speeds will depend on blockchain network conditions.
Different terms will apply to transfers to bank accounts. The service will support transfers to eligible bank accounts in more than 60 countries, allowing recipients to receive funds in their local currency.
Fees for these transactions will vary depending on the destination country and the amount sent. The app will display the fee and estimated delivery time before the user confirms the transfer. The fee-free terms announced for wallet transfers therefore do not extend to all international bank transfers.
The service will initially be available to eligible U.S. residents aged 18 or older. Users will need a Samsung account, a compatible Galaxy device running Android 13 or later, and biometric authentication enabled.
Samsung also said it may explore online and in-store stablecoin payment options in the future. Expansion into other markets will depend on local regulatory conditions.
