A new partnership is set to change what ships pre-installed on Xiaomi devices. Starting in 2026, Xiaomi will include a crypto wallet and a discovery app from Sei Labs on its smartphones, as part of a global deal aimed at expanding blockchain technology to a broader audience.
The Sei app functions as both a digital wallet and a portal to Web3 services. It enables users to send peer-to-peer payments, interact with decentralized applications, and explore blockchain-based products without needing to download extra software.
This integration targets all new Xiaomi phones sold outside mainland China and the United States, a vast market given Xiaomi’s position as the world’s third-largest smartphone brand with about 13% of global market share, equivalent to roughly 160 million devices.
Sei, a Layer 1 blockchain focused on digital asset trading, will be the backbone of this preinstalled experience. Beyond smartphones, Sei envisions extending the partnership to retail, planning to support stablecoin payments across Xiaomi’s more than 20,000 stores—beginning in Hong Kong and parts of the European Union. The goal is for customers to purchase Xiaomi products using stablecoins such as USDC, with transactions ultimately settled on the Sei blockchain.
Critics are labeling this move as another instance of bloatware—unwanted preinstalled software that users seldom use or even notice. Xiaomi has faced scrutiny over preloaded apps in the past, and while the company has taken steps to be more transparent and curb some nuisance practices, many see this crypto-focused preinstallation as a step in the wrong direction.
Sei argues the deal could bring crypto to millions, especially in markets where Xiaomi already has a strong footprint. For example, Xiaomi holds a sizable share in Greece and India, which could amplify exposure to digital assets. Yet for everyday users, the immediate takeaway is more preloaded software competing for space and attention on devices.
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