Samsung Wallet’s stablecoin account feature has officially launched in the United States. Some 82 million Galaxy phones can now be used to buy, hold, send, and receive USDC on Solana, though New York residents are not eligible. (Previously: South Korea’s Samsung: Galaxy’s built-in blockchain wallet is a killer move into Web3, and new TVs can buy NFTs) (Background: US FDIC chair: Under the GENIUS Act, stablecoins “absolutely do not” receive deposit insurance) Samsung announced that the Stablecoin Account built into Samsung Wallet has officially launched in the United States. Eligible US Galaxy users can buy, hold, send, and receive USDC on Solana directly in the Wallet app, without downloading a separate crypto app or managing their own private keys. The feature was announced on October 7 and was originally scheduled to launch in the last week of October. Samsung confirmed its official rollout in an announcement published on November 5. In terms of availability, Samsung estimates that about 82 million Galaxy devices in the US can use the feature, but there are three specific requirements: users must be at least 18 years old, have a Samsung account, and be running Android 13 or later. New York residents are not eligible. Samsung charges no transfer fees when users send USDC between Samsung Wallets or to compatible external crypto wallets. Stablecoins can also be sent to eligible bank accounts in more than 60 countries, where recipients can choose to receive the funds in local currency; fees vary by destination. Samsung has also made clear who is handling the funds. Regulated stablecoin custodian Bastion manages the Stablecoin Account and transfer infrastructure, while Coinbase acts as sub-custodian of the USDC through Coinbase Prime Vault. Coinbase’s official blog clearly explains the division of responsibilities. The partnership between the two companies was no last-minute decision: in October 2025, Samsung expanded its existing collaboration with Coinbase, enabling US Galaxy users to fund their Coinbase accounts with Samsung Pay. This latest move brings USDC directly into the first point of entry on users’ phone wallets. Both companies’ statements point to the same idea. Woncheol Chai, head of the Digital Wallet team at Samsung’s Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, said stablecoins could make moving money around the world faster and easier, and that Samsung wants Galaxy users to access them without having to deal with the complexity of traditional crypto tools. Solana Foundation President Lily Liu said stablecoins had proven the technology works over the past decade, but what was missing was a way to reach mainstream users. The official press release described the partnership as bringing stablecoins natively to 82 million Galaxy devices in the US. 82 million phones: the distribution channel stablecoins need most The focus of this competition is shifting. USDC settles quickly and cheaply on Solana, so technology is no longer the bottleneck. What is truly scarce is access that doesn’t require users to download yet another app. By turning 82 million phones into stablecoin gateways, Samsung has effectively opened a carrier-grade distribution channel for USDC—bringing it closer to everyday consumers than adding another exchange listing would. Stripe, by contrast, is taking the payments-provider route, embedding stablecoins into merchants’ payment flows. The two are targeting different ends of the same problem. Samsung has also said its next step is to explore stablecoin payments online and in physical stores, and to expand into other markets in accordance with local regulations. Meanwhile, issuers are also reallocating resources. USDC issuer Circle reported third-quarter revenue of $865 million, up 17% year over year. Its growth drivers are shifting from circulation alone toward payments and new product lines. When phone manufacturers open up distribution, the impact on issuance could be more direct than adding another trading pair. Why the US launched first, while New York was excluded Samsung’s home country, South Korea, was not included in the first wave; instead, the rollout began in the US. The reasoning behind the choice is easy to understand: regulatory certainty. New York State’s exclusion reflects state-level licensing and consumer-protection requirements. The state has long had its own crypto regulatory framework, and loosening federal rules does not automatically mean companies can operate there. For readers in Asia, the question is whether this “stablecoin account built into a phone” model can be replicated. Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea have all been working to fill gaps in their stablecoin and payments regulations over the past two years. The sticking points are usually not technical, but rather who is allowed to hold funds, how cross-border remittances are classified, and how consumer disputes are handled. What to watch next: payment use cases, on-chain activity, and expansion plans Three things are worth watching next. First, whether payment use cases take off. Samsung says it plans to expand into online and in-store payments, a move that will affect how merchants and clearing institutions respond. Second, the circulation of USDC on Solana: if phones really become a major point of entry, growth in on-chain transfers and active addresses will be the clearest evidence. Third, the order in which Samsung expands into new markets—especially whether it brings this model to South Korea and the rest of Asia. That will determine whether phone manufacturers building their own stablecoin distribution channels is a US-only exception or a new industry norm. Related coverage: Circle Q3 earnings: Revenue of $865 million, up 17% year over year; EBITDA surges 85%, while ARC presales prop up other revenue. Stripe’s new stablecoin OUSD fees revealed: Transaction fees of up to $0.01, with all reserve yield returned to partners. What did SOL get right after surviving the crash? A conversation with Foundation President Lily Liu: What’s next for Solana? This article, “Samsung Wallet launches USDC accounts! 82 million phones can send and receive directly,” was first published by BlockTempo (the most influential blockchain news outlet in the Chinese-speaking world).