Sei Crypto Wallet to Ship Preinstalled on Millions of Xiaomi Phones Globally

Xiaomi just cut the line for crypto adoption. The tech giant is set to preload the Sei crypto wallet onto its smartphones across key global markets—putting a digital asset gateway directly into millions of new hands.

The Hardware Handoff

This isn't another app store download. The Sei wallet comes installed out of the box, bypassing the biggest hurdle in crypto: user onboarding. Forget seed phrase anxiety and confusing setups—this integration makes your first transaction as simple as unboxing your phone.

Why Sei? Why Now?

The move signals a strategic pivot. Xiaomi isn't dipping a toe; it's planting a flag. By embedding Sei's wallet, the company effectively endorses its underlying blockchain's vision for high-speed, low-cost trading—a direct shot across the bow of legacy financial rails that still take days to settle.

The Global Footprint

Targeting 'key regions' means Xiaomi is playing chess, not checkers. This rollout will likely focus on markets with growing crypto familiarity but fragmented access, turning every new smartphone into a potential on-ramp. It’s a user acquisition strategy that traditional fintechs can only dream of—and one that doesn't rely on venture capital burn rates.

A New Default Setting

Think about it: the wallet isn't an option; it's a default. That subtle shift reframes crypto from a speculative niche to a standard utility, baked into the device's core functionality. It normalizes digital asset ownership in a way that no advertising campaign ever could.

Of course, the finance old guard will call it a gimmick—right up until they notice their 'stickier' fees are competing with a tap on a preinstalled app. Xiaomi and Sei aren't just launching a feature; they're quietly wiring the next generation of finance directly into the hardware. The race isn't for the best blockchain anymore; it's for the home screen.

In brief

• Sei is integrating its crypto wallet and discovery app directly into new Xiaomi smartphones sold outside mainland China and the U.S.
• Users will be able to access the wallet through Google and Xiaomi accounts with advanced security.
• The wallet will provide guided access to top decentralized applications and allow users to send funds or make payments to businesses.

Mainstream Crypto Access with Sei and Xiaomi

The initial rollout will focus on regions where cryptocurrency adoption is already strong, including Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa—areas where Xiaomi holds strong sales. For users in these regions, the app will simplify getting started through Google and Xiaomi accounts, feature advanced wallet security powered by multi-party computation, and give users guided access to top decentralized applications. It will also let users send funds directly to others and make payments to businesses.

Sei is complementing this initiative with a $5 million Global Mobile Innovation Program aimed at accelerating blockchain adoption across consumer devices worldwide. Jeff Feng, co-founder of Sei Labs, described the Xiaomi collaboration as a pivotal MOVE for mainstream blockchain adoption. By embedding Sei’s infrastructure into a widely used smartphone ecosystem, the partnership is set to transform how billions of people interact with digital assets in daily life.

Sei Expands Access and Payment Options

In addition to the wallet, the partnership will also enhance payment options by offering the following features:

• It will introduce stablecoin payments at Xiaomi’s retail stores and online platforms.
• Customers will be able to use stablecoins such as USDC, supported by Sei, to pay for items including smartphones and electric vehicles.
• The first launch of this payment option is planned for Hong Kong and the European Union by the second quarter of 2026, with further expansion to additional compliant regions.

More broadly, Sei, which has handled billions of transactions across over 80 million wallets, is focused on bringing its technology to everyday consumers, creating a straightforward way for mainstream users to access and engage with digital assets through widely used devices.

Expanding Crypto Access via Smartphones

In a similar vein, some Web3 projects have used smartphones to reach new audiences. solana Mobile, operated by Solana Labs, launched its Saga smartphone in June 2022, with deliveries starting the year after. A BONK token airdrop linked to each device temporarily pushed the token’s value above the retail price in late 2023, generating significant attention and interest in the device.

Solana has continued to build on its initiatives, beginning shipments of the second-generation Seeker phone to users in over 50 countries in August 2024. The device features upgraded hardware, an integrated crypto wallet, a decentralized app store, and a more secure digital vault. The company has revealed plans for a native token, SKR, linked to the Seeker phone and its broader ecosystem, with a total supply of 10 billion tokens and a launch expected in early 2026.

Similarly, Samsung has incorporated crypto functionality into its devices through a partnership with Coinbase. Since October, around 75 million Galaxy users in the U.S. can buy crypto directly through Samsung Wallet, and the company intends to roll out the feature to other regions.

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