Samsung is expanding its presence in the digital asset industry with a new partnership aimed at strengthening its stablecoin and AI payment ambitions. Samsung SDS, the technology services arm of Samsung Group, has announced plans to work with Dunamu, the company behind South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, to explore next-generation financial technologies.
The collaboration comes as stablecoins continue to gain momentum worldwide, with governments, banks and technology companies increasingly investing in blockchain-based payment infrastructure. For Samsung, the move signals a broader strategy to deepen its involvement in South Korea’s rapidly evolving digital finance ecosystem.
Samsung SDS and Dunamu target stablecoin infrastructure
Speaking during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Samsung SDS CEO Lee Hee confirmed that the partnership with Dunamu will focus on building stablecoin infrastructure alongside artificial intelligence-powered payment services and digital asset platforms.
Lee explained that the collaboration is intended to create long-term business opportunities rather than function as a simple financial investment. According to him, both companies will work together to identify new business models that can strengthen Samsung SDS’ future growth in financial technology.
He said, “We have already secured differentiated business capabilities in digital asset infrastructure through the Korea Securities Depository’s tokenised securities platform project and through end-to-end validation of the full stablecoin process from issuance to settlement.”
Samsung has steadily expanded its blockchain initiatives over the past year. Earlier this week, Samsung Electronics also introduced stablecoin support for Samsung Wallet, allowing users to manage compatible digital assets through the company’s mobile payment ecosystem.
Samsung strengthens its position in South Korea’s crypto market
The partnership follows Samsung’s growing financial commitment to the country’s cryptocurrency industry. Earlier this year, Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card jointly acquired a 4 percent stake in Dunamu, further strengthening ties between Samsung Group and one of South Korea’s most influential digital asset companies.
The latest collaboration is expected to combine Samsung SDS’ experience in enterprise technology and financial infrastructure with Dunamu’s expertise in cryptocurrency trading and blockchain services. Together, the companies aim to explore payment systems that integrate artificial intelligence while supporting future stablecoin-based financial services.
Stablecoins have become one of the fastest-growing areas of the cryptocurrency market because their value is typically linked to traditional currencies such as the US dollar. Unlike more volatile cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are increasingly being used for payments, settlements and cross-border transfers due to their relatively stable pricing and faster transaction speeds.
Stablecoin adoption continues to accelerate globally
Samsung’s announcement comes as financial institutions worldwide increase investments in stablecoin infrastructure. Earlier this year, Morgan Stanley Investment Management introduced its Stablecoin Reserves Portfolio, allowing stablecoin issuers to place reserve assets into selected money market funds while earning interest.
Industry data also reflects the sector’s rapid expansion. According to Visa’s Allium-powered stablecoin analytics dashboard, adjusted global stablecoin transaction volume reached a record $1.79 trillion in June, surpassing the previous all-time high recorded earlier this year. The figure represented a 63 percent increase compared with May and more than double the transaction volume recorded during the same period last year.
The continued growth of stablecoin payments has encouraged both technology companies and financial institutions to accelerate blockchain development. As regulators across multiple countries work on clearer digital asset frameworks, many industry analysts expect stablecoins to play a larger role in future payment networks.
With its latest partnership, Samsung SDS is positioning itself to participate in that transition by combining blockchain infrastructure with artificial intelligence and enterprise technology. While the companies have not yet announced specific products or launch timelines, the collaboration signals Samsung’s intention to become a more significant player in the next generation of digital financial services.
