Binance And HTC Join Forces To Create A Binance Chain-Ready Smartphone

The largest cryptocurrency exchange to date, Binance, agreed a strategic partnership with smartphone manufacturer HTC to release an exclusive, limited edition of HTC’s EXODUS 1 mobile device.

The smartphone would be pre-set with Binance’s BNB chain, meaning the phone would receive Binance’s DEX decentralized exchange and crypto wallet functionalities, which users can enjoy immediately after unpacking the phone. The new partnership allows users to enter Binance DEX directly with their HTC EXODUS 1 smartphones and also use their phones as a crypto wallet via the Zion Vault app. The app will also serve as a full operating node, enabling Web 3.0 compliant applications, dApps, and will provide enhanced security.

Binance’s CEO, Changpeng Zhao, commented on the announcement, sharing his vision that smartphones would play a critical role in the mass adoption of modern cryptocurrencies. “Smartphones are the most intuitive devices for hardware wallet integration. Cryptocurrencies would transform every smartphone into a POS device, eliminating the need for a middleman in the process of payment. “, Zhao added.

The smartphone market is highly competitive, so manufacturers are seeking ways to harness the hype around crypto, thus providing mass adoption and seamless integration in everyday life. HTC’s EXODUS brand already found support from Ethereum’s CEO, Vitalik Buterin, Brave Browser’s co-founder and CEO Brendan Eich, companies like Opera, DFINITY, and Litecoin.

Except for the added ZION vault mechanism and Binance DEX compliance, the phone would not differ much from HTC’s flagship models. The device would feature a 6-inch HD+ display, two dual cameras, IP68 rating, Android OS, and HTC’s signature BoomSound audio. Connectivity is one of the critical elements in EXODUS since the phone would support a full Bitcoin node on a 400GB microSD card. To achieve seamless connectivity to the blockchain, HTC utilizes Gigabit LTE capability with 4x4 MIMO and Carrier Aggregation.

The phone would retail for $599, and users could purchase it directly from HTC’s online store. A slightly less-powerful version of the EXODUS 1, dubbed EXODUS 1s, is available for EU customers at around $250.