Samsung at Last Adds Bitcoin Support to Its Blockchain Phones

Samsung has added bitcoin to the developers' kit for its blockchain-enabled smartphones six months after launch.

AccessTimeIconAug 14, 2019 at 8:45 a.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 11:19 a.m. UTC

Samsung has integrated bitcoin (BTC) functionality on its blockchain-enabled smartphones.

The move comes months after the flagship Galaxy S10 range was launched in March with a "Blockchain Keystore" offering cryptocurrency storage and transactions for ether (ETH) and related ERC-20 tokens, but which notably excluded the number one cryptocurrency by market cap.

The South Korean tech giant has now included bitcoin features to the developer kit (SDK) for several S10 models (S10e, S10, S10+ and S10 5G), as well as the Note10 and Note10+ devices.

The SDK allows Android devices to link blockchain addresses to the Blockchain Keystore, sign cryptocurrency transactions and check the Keystore status.

The blockchain features of the phones are still currently only available in limited jurisdictions, listed as: Canada, Germany, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the U.S. and the U.K.

The SDK additions also include support for the native cryptocurrency (klay) of the Klaytn blockchain recently launched by Korean messaging app giant Kakao. In the last week, Kakao's blockchain subsidiary GroundX has teased an upcoming wallet for klay called Klip, and also revealed its first decentralized app (dapp) partners.

Samsung itself now lists 17 dapps in its Keystore, and is developing it own blockchain based on ethereum. It may ultimately release its own token, the firm has suggested.

Galaxy S10 image courtesy of Samsung

DISCLOSURE

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.