Samsung and Coinbase have struck a significant partnership to integrate cryptocurrency services into Samsung Wallet, giving millions of Galaxy users in the United States seamless access to trading, staking and payments. The move marks Coinbase’s largest-ever consumer distribution push and positions Samsung Wallet as a more versatile financial tool, consolidating digital payments with crypto access.

A New Era for Crypto on Mobile

Samsung, a global leader in smartphones, is expanding its digital wallet offering to include direct crypto trading through a deep integration with Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto exchange. The partnership covers more than 75 million Galaxy device owners in the US, with plans to expand internationally in the coming months.

Through the integration, Galaxy users can trade and hold cryptocurrencies, stake tokens for rewards and spend crypto for payments, all without the need to download a separate app or transfer funds between platforms. This is achieved via Coinbase One, the exchange’s subscription service, which is being bundled with Samsung Wallet.

“Together with Samsung, we’re pairing their global scale with Coinbase’s trusted platform to deliver the best value for people to access crypto, starting with more than 75 million Galaxy users across the US and soon around the world,” said Shan Aggarwal, Coinbase’s Chief Business Officer.

Exclusive Perks for Galaxy Users

As part of the rollout, Galaxy owners will receive a free three-month subscription to Coinbase One (Preferred Tier). The package includes:

• Zero trading fees on eligible assets, up to a set limit.
  
• Boosted staking rewards, enabling users to earn more from proof-of-stake assets.
  
• Exclusive partner offers, extending beyond crypto into retail and services.
  

In addition, select new or re-engaging Coinbase users can claim a $25 credit in USDC stablecoin after placing their first trade through Samsung Wallet.

Samsung’s Senior Vice President of Mobile Product Management, Drew Blackard, emphasised the growing importance of mobile wallets:
“Millions of Galaxy users rely on their smartphone to complete everyday tasks and that goes far beyond communication, it’s paying in-store, unlocking a car, showing an ID and more. With our Coinbase partnership, Galaxy users have a simple and streamlined way to access crypto from a leader in the industry.”

Security at the Core: Samsung Knox Integration

One of the major selling points of the integration is its reliance on Samsung Knox, the company’s proprietary security platform. Knox uses hardware-level encryption, tokenisation and biometric authentication to protect sensitive payment and crypto data directly on the device.

This approach addresses one of the most persistent concerns in crypto adoption: securing digital assets on mobile devices. By embedding Coinbase into Samsung Wallet with Knox protection, both companies aim to balance convenience with institutional-grade security.

Users will also benefit from linking Samsung Pay directly to Coinbase accounts, allowing crypto holdings to be used in the same way as debit or credit cards. This effectively places crypto alongside IDs, loyalty cards, car keys and payment cards, all within the same wallet ecosystem.

Strategic Timing for Coinbase

The Samsung tie-up comes at a time when Coinbase is seeking new distribution channels to widen its retail user base in the US. Competition in the crypto exchange market has intensified, with rivals such as Kraken and Robinhood posting stronger revenue growth than Coinbase in recent quarters.

Coinbase’s most recent financial results showed just 3% revenue growth in Q2, compared with Kraken’s 18% jump and Robinhood’s near-doubling of crypto revenues. By embedding its services into Samsung Wallet, Coinbase gains immediate exposure to tens of millions of users, representing a scale unmatched in its previous partnerships.

The timing also coincides with a strong market performance for Coinbase stock. Shares are trading around $373, nearly 130% higher over the past year, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the company’s expansion moves.

The Road Ahead

For Samsung, the partnership bolsters its strategy of making Samsung Wallet a central hub for digital life, encompassing everything from payments and memberships to digital IDs and now cryptocurrency. For Coinbase, it delivers the largest single consumer distribution initiative in its history, potentially re-energising its growth trajectory in the US market and beyond.

While the launch begins in the United States, both companies have confirmed that international expansion is on the roadmap. Given Samsung’s global footprint and Coinbase’s ambition to dominate mainstream crypto adoption, the partnership could significantly accelerate the integration of digital assets into everyday financial life.

As Galaxy users start exploring the new features, the collaboration between Samsung and Coinbase marks a milestone in the convergence of mobile technology, digital payments and the fast-evolving world of cryptocurrencies.