Samsung Targets 800M Devices With Native Stablecoins Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

Woofun AI reports that Samsung Electronics has announced the integration of native stablecoin functions into Samsung Wallet, a move unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2026. Lee Dinham, Samsung’s smartphone product manager, positioned this development as a critical step toward establishing an interconnected financial ecosystem. By embedding these capabilities directly into the device layer, Samsung aims to unify payments, rewards, and digital assets into a single, seamless user experience across its hardware and software services.

The scale of this deployment is substantial, targeting 800 million new Galaxy smartphones with native support for stablecoins. These devices will feature savings and payment accounts linked directly to fiat currencies, bridging traditional finance with digital assets.

However, the company has not yet released a detailed product roadmap. Critical operational details remain undefined, including which specific stablecoins will be supported first, the underlying blockchain networks, and the initial target markets.

Furthermore, it remains unclear whether users will retain control of their private keys or if assets will be custodied by Samsung or third-party institutions.

Structurally, the infrastructure for this initiative is being developed in close collaboration with Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Lee Jun-hee, CEO of Samsung SDS, confirmed during the second-quarter earnings call that discussions are ongoing regarding stablecoin infrastructure, digital asset systems, and AI-driven payment models. Samsung SDS has already completed end-to-end testing of the stablecoin lifecycle, covering every stage from issuance to settlement. This technical groundwork suggests a high level of readiness, even as public product specifications remain vague.

Notably, Samsung’s entry into crypto wallet technology predates the current stablecoin cycle by several years. The Galaxy S10, released in 2019, was equipped with the Samsung Blockchain Wallet and a secure key storage area protected by Knox. This hardware-backed security isolated private keys from the phone’s main operating system. By 2021, the wallet supported BTC, Ethereum, ERC tokens, TRON, and TRC tokens. It also allowed users to connect hardware wallets such as the Ledger Nano S and Nano X, establishing an early foundation for self-custody on mobile devices.

The evolution of this technology culminated in the launch of Samsung Wallet in 2022. This application integrated payment cards, identification documents, boarding passes, and digital keys into a single interface. While it connected to the Samsung Blockchain Wallet for asset display and management, its primary function remained distinct from direct on-chain transaction capabilities. The focus was on consolidating digital identity and traditional payment methods, rather than facilitating immediate crypto usage in mobile payment scenarios.

A more critical variable is the expansion into transactional capabilities through partnerships. In 2025, Samsung integrated with Coinbase to bring users closer to direct trading. U.S. users gained the ability to use Samsung Pay within the Coinbase app to purchase crypto assets. Subsequently, both companies made Coinbase One benefits and wallet access available to over 75 million U.S. Galaxy users. This integration marked a significant shift from passive asset viewing to active transaction participation, leveraging Samsung’s massive user base in the United States.

Per Woofun AI, the platform’s global footprint has expanded significantly, with Samsung Wallet now available in 61 countries. In South Korea alone, the service boasts 18.66 million registered users and 16.6 million daily activations. Total payment amounts processed through the wallet reached 88.6 trillion won in 2024. These metrics demonstrate a robust existing user base that already utilizes payment, transfer, ID, and digital key functions, providing a ready-made audience for the introduction of stablecoin features into everyday smartphone interfaces.

The strategic investment structure in Dunamu further underscores Samsung’s commitment to digital finance. In May, Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card agreed to acquire a combined 4% stake in Dunamu. Samsung Securities holds 2%, while Samsung SDS and Samsung Card each hold 1%. Lee Jun-hee emphasized that this investment is strategic rather than financial, aimed at refining the business model for digital financial infrastructure. Samsung SDS had previously built a digital asset infrastructure using the tokenization securities platform of the Korean Securities Depository (KSD), validating the technical feasibility of such integrations.

The regulatory landscape in South Korea is evolving rapidly to accommodate these changes. The South Korean government, in its economic growth strategy released on July 14, proposed advancing the Digital Asset Basic Act in the second half of the year. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is tasked with establishing rules for stablecoin issuance and circulation. Under the draft legislation, stablecoins used for cross-border or foreign exchange transactions will be classified as payment methods under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act. Issuers must maintain reserves of over 100% in high-quality assets and meet a minimum capital requirement of 500 million won, approximately $360,000.

However, two key provisions remain unresolved, creating uncertainty for future deployments. The first is the '51% rule,' which dictates whether Korean won stablecoins must be issued through a bank-led consortium. Lawmaker Ahn Do-geun has proposed that banks hold 50% plus one share, while fintech companies hold 34%. The second issue is the shareholding cap, with regulators considering a uniform 15% to 20% equity limit on major exchanges including Dunamu, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax. Samsung’s combined 4% stake in Dunamu remains below this threshold. Until the FSC releases the final government draft, the enforceable rules for stablecoin issuance and wallet services remain undefined, leaving the timeline for full commercial rollout dependent on legislative progress.