Samsung Continues Support for Crypto With New Flagship Smartphone

Users will still be able to hold cryptocurrencies on Samsung's newly launched Galaxy S20 range.

AccessTimeIconFeb 19, 2020 at 3:00 a.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 12:19 p.m. UTC

Samsung Electronics' newly launched Galaxy smartphone will come with the same crypto storage facilities found on previous models.

Unveiling the Samsung Galaxy S20 range recently, the Korean tech giant said the phone's security system includes a new "secure processor dedicated to protecting your PIN, password, pattern and Blockchain Private Key."

Although Samsung gave much more website real estate to the S20's improved battery-life and picture-capturing capabilities, the reference to private keys suggests Samsung's new model will continue to have the same cryptocurrency storage facilities found in previous models.

Cryptocurrency private key storage will be available as standard across the entire S20 range.

Samsung first added support for cryptocurrencies in March 2018, when it integrated a wallet device into its then-top model, the Galaxy S10. In July, the company introduced a developer kit that allowed third parties to create specially designed dapps for the phone. One such dapp allowed users to pay for goods and services in stored cryptocurrencies by scanning a merchants' QR code.

At the time of launch, the wallet was only compatible with ether and ER20 tokens, but Samsung added support for bitcoin in September and included TRON later that year in October. Although initially exclusive to the S10 range, the company said in May that it wanted to "lower barriers" and add cryptocurrency support for some of its more budget models.

The S20 range is expected to go on sale on March 6.

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.


Read more about