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Wednesday Nov 5 2025 02:10
1 min
South Korea has long been known for its fervent passion for cryptocurrencies, with the term "Kimchi Premium" emerging to describe the higher prices Korean traders would pay for Bitcoin compared to global markets. However, 2025 marks a noticeable shift in this trend.
Trading volume on Upbit, South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has plummeted by 80% compared to last year. In contrast, the Korean stock market is experiencing a strong rebound, with the KOSPI index rising by over 70% this year, reaching new record highs.
Several factors contribute to this shift:
It is unclear whether this shift is permanent. However, it is clear that the cryptocurrency market in South Korea faces significant challenges. Exchanges and crypto projects will need to find new ways to attract Korean investors if they want to remain relevant.
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