News in Short

• Samsung SDS has announced a partnership with Upbit operator Dunamu.
• The companies will explore stablecoin infrastructure and AI-powered payment solutions.
• Samsung SDS says the move strengthens its digital asset capabilities.
• Samsung recently added stablecoin support to Samsung Wallet.
• The partnership comes amid growing global adoption of stablecoins.

Samsung SDS, the IT services arm of Samsung Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, to develop stablecoin infrastructure, AI-powered payment systems and next-generation digital asset services.

The announcement was made by Samsung SDS CEO Lee Hee during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, signalling Samsung’s growing focus on blockchain-based financial technologies.

Partnership focuses on stablecoins and AI payments

According to Samsung SDS, the collaboration with Dunamu is aimed at building infrastructure for stablecoins while exploring new AI-driven payment models and digital asset services.

Lee said the partnership is a strategic business initiative rather than a financial investment, with both companies working together to develop new business models that could strengthen Samsung SDS’ digital finance portfolio.

The move comes as stablecoins continue to gain traction globally for cross-border payments, settlements and enterprise financial applications.

Samsung strengthens its blockchain strategy

Samsung has steadily expanded its presence in the digital asset ecosystem over the past year.

In May 2026, Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS and Samsung Card jointly acquired a 4 percent stake in Dunamu, strengthening the group’s ties with South Korea’s cryptocurrency industry.

During the earnings call, Lee said Samsung SDS has already built expertise in digital asset infrastructure through projects including South Korea’s tokenised securities platform and end-to-end validation of stablecoin issuance and settlement systems.

Follows Samsung Wallet stablecoin support

The latest announcement comes shortly after Samsung Electronics introduced stablecoin support in Samsung Wallet, highlighting the broader Samsung Group’s growing interest in blockchain-based financial services.

While Samsung Electronics is focused on consumer-facing digital wallets, Samsung SDS is working on the enterprise infrastructure that could power future payment and settlement systems.

Together, the initiatives indicate Samsung’s broader strategy to integrate blockchain technologies across both consumer and enterprise services.

Stablecoin market continues to expand

Samsung’s latest move also reflects the rapid growth of the global stablecoin market.

According to Visa’s Allium-powered stablecoin analytics dashboard, stablecoin transaction volumes reached a record $1.79 trillion in June 2026, representing a 63 percent increase compared with May and more than double the volume recorded a year earlier.

The increasing adoption of stablecoins has encouraged financial institutions and technology companies to invest in blockchain payment infrastructure, with firms such as Morgan Stanley also launching products aimed at stablecoin issuers earlier this year.

As regulatory clarity around digital assets continues to improve in several markets, partnerships like Samsung SDS and Dunamu’s could play a significant role in shaping the next generation of AI-powered financial services.