STMicroelectronics Launches NFC Chip to Speed Up Matter Device Setup

STMicroelectronics today rolled out a new secure NFC chip designed to make setting up Matter smart-home devices faster and far more reliable.

The ST25DA-C brings tap-to-connect onboarding to the latest Matter 1.5 standard, allowing users to add lighting systems, cameras, access controls, and other connected gear to their home network with a simple smartphone tap.

The chip is the first commercial solution built for Matter’s new NFC enhancements, giving the industry a clear path toward easier, more secure, and more unified device installation. By moving onboarding from Bluetooth or QR codes to NFC, the ST25DA-C removes common pain points during setup—especially when devices are installed in tight or awkward locations.

Also Read: How IoT Innovations Are Powering Smarter and Safer Cities

A standout feature is its battery-less pairing, powered through RF energy harvesting. This lets installers add even unpowered devices instantly, a major advantage for large-scale smart-home deployments and manufacturers building next-generation products. The push for smoother installation and stronger security aligns with rising consumer expectations across the connected-home market.

“Consumers want infrastructure that is efficient, secure, and simple to use. NFC-enabled Matter devices answer this need and will strongly influence adoption of smart-home products,” said David Richetto, Group VP, Division General Manager, Connected Security at STMicroelectronics.

Shobhit Srivastava, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia, added that Matter has become an essential standard for cross-platform smart-home communication, highlighting the ST25DA-C as an example of next-generation silicon that will help manufacturers develop future-ready connected devices.

Security is a core element of the chip. It uses Common Criteria–certified hardware and stores cryptographic credentials, certificates, and network keys through an embedded secure element. The device is also planned for SESIP Level 3 certification, giving manufacturers stronger trust guarantees.