Samsung has teamed up with Coinbase to give 75 million U.S. Galaxy phone owners direct access to cryptocurrency. Starting this week, users can buy crypto right from Samsung Wallet, powered by Samsung Pay, without juggling multiple apps or payment steps. Plus a free three-month Coinbase One trial and a $25 credit. Good times are here for Samsung Galaxy users!
Coinbase built into Samsung Wallet
This collaboration means Coinbase is now fully integrated into the Samsung Wallet experience. Users can buy, hold, and manage crypto while using the same app they already trust for IDs, cards, and payments.
And to sweeten the deal, Samsung is rolling out exclusive perks:
- Three free months of Coinbase One (zero trading fees on select assets, boosted staking rewards, and partner offers).
- $25 credit in USDC for eligible users after their first Coinbase transaction.
Convenience at the center
Until now, crypto purchases often meant switching between apps, copying wallet addresses, or re-entering payment details. This update removes that friction, turning Samsung Wallet into a true all-in-one hub.
Drew Blackard, Samsung’s senior VP of mobile product management, summed it up simply: “Samsung Wallet is a trusted tool to millions of Galaxy users, and Coinbase is the ideal partner to provide our users with seamless access to crypto.”
What’s next, Expansion beyond the U.S.?
For now, the integration is U.S.-only. But both companies confirmed plans to expand internationally in the coming months. With Samsung’s global reach, this could bring streamlined crypto access to millions more users once local compliance and payments align.
Market reaction: Coinbase stock climbs
The news lifted Coinbase’s stock to around $379, extending a weekly surge of more than 20%. At the same time, Bitcoin crossed $123,000, showing strong demand in the wider market. Analysts see the move as a confidence boost; removing barriers often increases new adoption and activity.
Samsung’s long crypto journey
This is far from Samsung’s first crypto experiment:
- 2019: Galaxy S10 introduced Blockchain Keystore for secure key storage.
- 2021: Integration with hardware wallets like Ledger.
- 2022: NFTs offered as preorder bonuses for Galaxy S22 phones.
- Nexledger: Samsung’s enterprise blockchain platform developed by its SDS unit.
The Coinbase deal builds on years of exploration, turning those pieces into something practical and familiar for everyday users.
A side note: Base token on the horizon
In parallel, Coinbase revealed it is “exploring” a token for its Ethereum layer-2 network, Base. While no launch date is set, the timing is interesting; Samsung Wallet could one day serve as a natural on-ramp to apps running on Base if such a token becomes reality.
Samsung Wallet just got smarter. For Galaxy owners, crypto no longer feels like an extra app or a niche experiment; it’s now part of the same daily wallet they already use. If Samsung and Coinbase deliver on smooth experiences and expand globally, this could mark a turning point where crypto moves from niche to normal.
