FameEX Hot Topics | Over 30% of South Koreans Have Invested in Cryptocurrency Assets

South Korea saw a notable rise in cryptocurrency adoption in November, reportedly driven by Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. This uptick underscores the growing enthusiasm for digital assets among South Korean investors.  

Yonhap News reported on Dec. 25 that South Korea’s crypto holders increased by 610,000 in November. Representative Lim Kwang-Hyun of the Democratic Party of Korea revealed that the total number of digital asset investors had reached 15.6 million by the end of the month. With a national population of 51.7 million, over 30% of South Koreans now hold crypto assets, highlighting the country’s expanding adoption.  

This surge coincided with the introduction of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which took effect on July 19 under the Financial Services Commission (FSC). The law requires virtual asset service providers to protect users’ crypto holdings. Yonhap emphasized that the data was published under the new regulations, marking the first official statistics on crypto ownership in the country.  

Beyond the growing user base, South Koreans reportedly hold around 102.6 trillion Korean won ($70.3 billion) in crypto assets. The report noted that cryptocurrency trading volume in South Korea is now challenging the local stock market, reflecting the increasing influence of digital assets in the nation’s financial sector.  

Yonhap linked this surge in crypto adoption partly to Trump’s presidential victory on Nov. 5. Analysts suggest Trump’s pro-crypto stance could reverse anti-Bitcoin policies in the U.S. and pave the way for more favorable regulations. This optimism appears to have resonated with South Korean investors, who may expect similar regulatory shifts to support further crypto growth in the near future.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for informational purposes only, doesn't represent any investment advice or FameEX's official view.