Xiaomi is partnering with Sei to integrate a cryptocurrency wallet and digital asset platform into smartphones sold outside of China and the US, targeting 168 million devices sold by 2024.
Chinese technology giant Xiaomi has announced a strategic partnership with blockchain company Sei, marking a significant step in bringing crypto assets to the masses. Under the agreement , all new Xiaomi smartphones will come pre-installed with applications designed for working with digital assets, applicable to devices sold outside mainland China and the US, opening up access to hundreds of millions of users globally.
Sei 's cryptocurrency services will be directly integrated into the Xiaomi ecosystem with three main components. Users will have a secure cryptocurrency storage app, a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency transfer service, and a platform for accessing decentralized applications. Jeff Feng, co-founder of Sei Labs, affirmed that this initiative aims to bring the use of cryptocurrency to the level of mass consumer devices, transforming a technology once only for tech-savvy users into an everyday tool.
Target market entry strategy
The pre-installation of the app will launch in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Feng explained that these regions were chosen based on two key factors: developed cryptocurrency infrastructure and the high popularity of Xiaomi devices. This decision reflects careful consideration of market potential, especially given that Xiaomi currently holds 13% of the global mobile device market share, with approximately 168 million devices expected to be sold in 2024.
In some specific markets, Xiaomi's position is even stronger. The company holds a 36.9% market share of smartphones in Greece and 24.2% in India, making these countries ideal springboards for promoting the adoption of cryptocurrencies. As one of the world's three largest smartphone manufacturers, Xiaomi has the potential to significantly impact the popularity of digital assets.
The next step in the collaboration is to roll out stablecoin payments across Xiaomi's entire retail and digital network. Both parties are considering accepting USDC and other stablecoins for Xiaomi product purchases, with initial pilot programs expected in Q2 2026 in Hong Kong and the European Union.
The plan to expand into other jurisdictions will depend on meeting regulatory requirements, reflecting a cautious but ambitious approach to building a comprehensive cryptocurrency payment ecosystem.
