Samsung Wallet users in the United States will soon be able to hold USD Coin (USDC) directly within the mobile payment and digital wallet application, expanding access to stablecoins through a partnership involving Coinbase and licensed infrastructure provider Bastion. The service is expected to launch during the final week of October 2026, bringing dollar-pegged digital assets into Samsung’s consumer wallet ecosystem.
The integration will make USDC the default dollar-backed stablecoin displayed when eligible users add funds to their stablecoin balance, with regulated service providers handling custody of the underlying assets. The initiative marks an expansion of Samsung and Coinbase’s existing relationship, moving beyond cryptocurrency purchases and subscription benefits to support stablecoin balances within Samsung Wallet.
USDC is a stablecoin designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the US dollar. Its integration into a widely distributed consumer application could make dollar-denominated digital assets more accessible to users who may not regularly use dedicated cryptocurrency platforms.
Coinbase Prime and Bastion to Handle Custody
Coinbase will provide subcustody services for USDC held through Samsung Wallet on behalf of the licensed provider. The arrangement will use Coinbase Prime, the company’s institutional digital asset platform, with custody services qualified under the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). The stablecoin balances will be held in Coinbase Prime Vault.
Bastion, a stablecoin custody and infrastructure provider operating under US regulatory oversight, will participate in the service’s custody framework. The arrangement separates the consumer-facing wallet from the infrastructure responsible for safeguarding the underlying digital assets.
Samsung Wallet will serve as the interface through which users access their USDC balances, while the regulated providers will manage custody responsibilities. This structure is intended to combine the convenience of a familiar mobile application with institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure.
USDC is designed to be redeemable at a one-to-one ratio with US dollars and is backed by cash and short-dated US Treasury securities. Monthly attestations provide information about its backing, offering users and market participants additional visibility into the assets supporting the stablecoin.
The planned launch will initially cover the US market. The companies have not indicated that the service will become available in other countries as part of this rollout.
Samsung and Coinbase Expand Existing Partnership
The USDC integration builds on several earlier initiatives between Samsung and Coinbase. Coinbase previously introduced Samsung Pay as a payment option for customers purchasing cryptocurrencies through its application.
The partnership subsequently expanded to more than 82 million Galaxy users in the United States, allowing eligible customers to access Coinbase One benefits through Samsung Wallet.
The planned stablecoin feature represents a further step in that relationship by incorporating digital dollar balances directly into Samsung’s wallet environment rather than limiting the partnership to payment processing and membership-related services.
By combining Samsung Wallet’s consumer distribution with Coinbase’s institutional custody infrastructure and Bastion’s regulated services, the companies aim to make USDC accessible through an established mobile wallet without requiring Samsung to manage custody of the underlying assets itself.
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The arrangement could also provide a more familiar entry point for consumers interested in using stablecoins for digital payments and transferring dollar-denominated value.
USDC Growth Supports Broader Consumer Distribution
The expansion comes amid reported growth in USDC adoption. According to figures provided by Coinbase, USDC circulation increased by 72% in 2025, surpassing $75 billion, while the number of wallets holding the stablecoin rose by 59% to nearly seven million.
Coinbase has highlighted the potential of stablecoins to facilitate online payments and transfers across borders, with transactions possible outside the operating hours of traditional financial systems. Wider integration into consumer applications could help extend their use beyond cryptocurrency trading.
Samsung‘s distribution network could give USDC access to a substantial audience of smartphone users, while Coinbase contributes the infrastructure needed to support institutional custody. The combination may help reduce friction for consumers seeking access to dollar-pegged digital assets through mobile applications they already use.
However, the service’s practical impact will depend on its launch, user adoption, applicable eligibility requirements, and the payment and transfer functions ultimately supported.
The planned October rollout represents a further step in bringing stablecoins into mainstream consumer applications, linking Samsung’s mobile wallet ecosystem with Coinbase’s digital asset infrastructure and regulated custody services.
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