Samsung Wallet Adds Coinbase for Galaxy Crypto Purchases

Samsung has expanded its partnership with Coinbase to let Galaxy smartphone owners in the United States buy cryptocurrency directly from Samsung Wallet. 

The move, now officially live, gives millions of users a simple way to enter the digital asset market using a payment option they already know. 

For Coinbase, the deal opens up a new distribution channel at a time when crypto exchanges are fighting to attract everyday traders.

A Seamless Way to Buy Crypto

Samsung Wallet, the company’s mobile payment and identity platform, is being upgraded to include direct access to crypto purchases. The update builds on an earlier announcement made in July. Now, Galaxy owners in the U.S. can buy cryptocurrencies inside the Coinbase app using Samsung Pay.

Samsung says the feature could eventually reach more than 75 million Galaxy owners across the country. International expansion is also in the works, with the companies signaling that other regions will be added soon. If the rollout goes global, the feature could touch over one billion Galaxy devices worldwide.

Drew Blackard, senior vice president of mobile product management at Samsung Electronics America, said the company sees Wallet as much more than a payment tool. 

“Samsung Wallet is a trusted tool to millions of Galaxy users, and we’re continually working to find creative ways to enhance the experience with added functionality,” Blackard said. He added that the Coinbase integration gives users a “simple and streamlined way to access crypto from a leader in the industry.”

Samsung’s newest flagship, the Galaxy S25 series, will be among the first to showcase the new functionality. Owners will be able to buy crypto, check balances, send peer-to-peer payments, and even manage IDs, car keys, and tickets from one app. 

The move highlights how phones are evolving into all-in-one digital tools that blend finance, identity, and convenience.

For Coinbase, this integration means more visibility with customers who might not otherwise install a crypto app. By becoming part of Samsung Wallet, Coinbase gains a direct path to Galaxy users who already rely on the platform for everyday payments and digital storage.

Extra Benefits Through Coinbase One

To mark the launch, Samsung Wallet users in the U.S. are being offered exclusive perks through Coinbase One, the exchange’s subscription program. Normally priced at $4.99 for the basic tier and $29.99 for the premium option, Coinbase One will be free for Galaxy owners for three months.

The subscription includes zero trading fees on select digital assets, higher staking rewards, and added account protection against unauthorized access. New customers who make their first trade through Samsung Wallet will also receive a $25 credit.

Shan Aggarwal, chief business officer at Coinbase, said the goal is to pair Samsung’s global scale with Coinbase’s platform. “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 U.S., and soon around the world,” Aggarwal said.

Coinbase co-founder and CEO, Brian Armstrong, shared a similar view. In a post on X, he said the partnership will “make crypto even more accessible.” He pointed to the chance to bring crypto to mainstream audiences by connecting with Samsung’s massive user base.

The push comes as Coinbase looks for ways to expand beyond trading revenue. Coinbase One has become a key piece of that strategy, offering features meant to keep users active even when market activity slows. 

Samsung’s rollout gives Coinbase a large pool of potential customers who may choose to keep the subscription after the free period ends.

For Samsung, the free trial adds another layer of appeal to its Wallet. The company has been steadily building the app since merging Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass into Samsung Wallet in 2022. 

It now holds payments, IDs, digital keys, and membership cards. With crypto added in, Wallet has become a more complete hub for both daily and financial life.

The Bigger Picture: Market and Adoption Trends

The launch comes at a time when Coinbase is under pressure to grow. In its most recent quarterly report, Coinbase showed just 3% revenue growth, one of its weakest results in years. That compared to an 18% jump at Kraken and nearly double crypto revenue at Robinhood. Partnerships like Samsung’s could help Coinbase reach new customers and make up for slower growth elsewhere.

Despite the slowdown, Coinbase’s stock has had a strong year. Shares are trading around $373, up nearly 130% in the past 12 months, according to data available online. Investors have responded positively to moves that expand Coinbase’s reach, such as the Samsung deal.

Samsung’s decision also reflects a wider shift in the tech industry. Smartphones are no longer just communication devices. They are turning into gateways for financial services, identity management, and now crypto trading. 

Samsung currently holds about 13% of the world’s smartphone market, according to data from BankMyCell. That reach means the company’s choices could influence adoption trends around the world.

Samsung Wallet itself has an interesting history. Launched first as Samsung Pay in 2015, it expanded over the years before merging with Samsung Pass and relaunching as Wallet in 2022. Since then, the app has added features like digital ID storage, car unlocking, and support for transit passes. The Coinbase integration is the latest step in making Wallet a central tool for Galaxy users.

Meanwhile, industry leaders are watching broader changes in the crypto space. Samson Mow, founder of Jan3, recently said that countries are beginning to move from cautious experiments with Bitcoin to more aggressive adoption. 

“I think we’re on the tail end of gradually, and we’re at the beginning phases of suddenly,” Mow said, warning of a potential wave of “nation-state FOMO” in the near future.

Mow believes more governments may soon establish strategic Bitcoin reserves, with the U.S. already laying out plans but not yet buying directly. The U.S. currently holds about 198,012 BTC, according to Bitbo, making it the largest government holder. Some analysts think other countries, such as Pakistan or those in Latin America, could move quickly if the U.S. delays.

Alex Thorn of Galaxy Digital has suggested the U.S. could officially launch its Bitcoin reserve before the end of 2025. Fidelity Digital Assets has also predicted more central banks and government treasuries will seek exposure to Bitcoin in the coming years.

At the same time, Bitcoin’s price has not yet reached levels many expected for 2025. Mow noted, “We should have had a bull run already,” adding that the cycle might extend into 2026. At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades around $120,616, up nearly 7% in the past month, according to CoinMarketCap.

Analysts like Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, argue that while momentum may be slower, the long-term outlook remains strong. 

For Samsung and Coinbase, the immediate goal is clear: make crypto easier for mainstream users to access and manage, directly from a device many already carry in their pocket.