Why South Korea may become the most important cryptocurrency market in the next decade?

Original Title: Why South Korea May Be The Most Important Crypto Market Of The Next Decade
Original Author: Azeem Khan, Forbes
Translation: Peggy, BlockBeats

Editor’s Note: South Korea's role in the global crypto industry landscape goes far beyond the stereotype of being a "high trading volume market." From the establishment of the first exchanges in 2013, to the ICO boom in 2017, and now to the development of enterprise-level applications and compliance systems, South Korea has consistently acted as a pioneer in driving industry evolution. This article explores the deeper logic of South Korea's crypto ecosystem: from retail frenzy to institutional layout, from regulatory innovation to technological research and development, how South Korea is building the institutional and technological foundations for the next phase of digital assets amidst volatility and challenges, and moving towards becoming a global hub.

The following is the original text:

On December 15, 2017, a screen at a virtual currency exchange in Seoul displayed the price of Bitcoin. As the recent price surge sparked a Bitcoin frenzy, South Korea is studying how to regulate speculative trading in cryptocurrencies.

Many global observers still view South Korea through an outdated lens. If you ask Western crypto market analysts about South Korea's cryptocurrency market, they are likely to describe high retail trading volumes, rapidly rotating altcoin cycles, and the "kimchi premium" era (when Bitcoin traded at prices significantly higher than the global average in South Korea). These descriptions are not incorrect, but they also freeze South Korea in a moment that no longer reflects its true influence or ambitions.

South Korea started early, but the world did not notice. Today, South Korea's crypto users and companies have a competitive advantage.

Before most markets realized the possibilities, South Korea embraced the innovations of Bitcoin and Ethereum networks, and the depth of its early user base created conditions that are difficult for other countries to match. Today, South Korea boasts a maturing regulatory framework, actively participating institutions, strong interest from businesses in blockchain applications, and a robust developer culture. This makes the South Korean market more capable than most countries of shaping the next phase of digital assets.

Chainalysis ranks South Korea as the 15th most active country in its "2025 Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index." For a country where over 20% of the population is over 65 years old, this is no small feat. However, this Asian nation is now exerting a disproportionately large influence in the global digital asset space.

Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) is a window into this transformation. Initially aimed at bridging the information gap between South Korea and the world, it has grown into one of the largest cryptocurrency events globally. Since its inception, over 136,000 people have participated, and the growth rate continues to accelerate. Many builders in South Korea believe that the rise of KBW reflects South Korea's ascent in the global economy.

"From the outside, people still see South Korea through the lens of trading speculation," Seonik Jeon, one of the organizers of Korea Blockchain Week and CEO of startup Factblock, told me in an interview. "They do not see the engineering research and development, corporate pilot projects, or those builders who have been genuinely engaged in R&D for years."

South Korea's Early Exploration of the Crypto Market

The breakthrough of South Korea's cryptocurrency culture occurred in 2017. At that time, a wave of initial coin offerings (ICOs) attracted a large number of retail investors and pushed Bitcoin prices to new highs at a critical juncture in the Bitcoin mining halving cycle, sparking a market frenzy. Digital assets quickly became a mainstream topic nationwide. However, this bull market was not a fleeting trend, but rather the result of infrastructure gradually built since 2013—when Korbit became South Korea's first domestic crypto exchange, followed by Bithumb entering the market in 2014.

By the end of 2017, South Korea's daily cryptocurrency trading volume reportedly surpassed that of major stock markets. The South Korean won even briefly became the third most traded currency in the global Bitcoin market, behind the US dollar and the Japanese yen.

At this moment, South Korea showcased a characteristic pattern for the next decade.

When new technologies emerge, South Koreans do not wait for the world's reaction; they take the lead. People from diverse backgrounds in South Korea—not just wealthy tech elites—are fully engaged.

Although South Korea's domestic business projects and crypto user base are diverse, overseas opinions have gradually solidified into a simplified perception: South Korea is just a high trading volume market. The dramatic collapse of the stablecoin project Terra, along with subsequent regulatory crackdowns, further reinforced this stereotype.

Americans know little about Seoul's vibrant crypto ecosystem, partly due to language barriers. Many Korean projects and builders lack English coverage in global media. Another reason is the shadow of past speculative cycles, which obscured South Korea's deep foundations in institutional and technological aspects.

Jeon founded Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) in 2018, and tickets sold out almost instantly, marking the first signal that South Korea had the potential to host global events. "It is a bridge connecting the Korean community with the world, and it also brings the world into Korea," Jeon said.

In the following years, attendance rapidly increased, venues expanded, and global industry leaders began to actively seek participation.

Meanwhile, South Korean developers have been continuously building production-ready tools in artificial intelligence, gaming, and blockchain for years. Major banks in South Korea are exploring digital asset custody, tokenized securities, and blockchain-based settlement systems. South Korea also maintains one of the world's strictest exchange compliance frameworks, exemplified by the real-name trading system introduced in 2018.

South Korea is not just a trading market; it is gradually growing into a powerhouse of engineering and corporate innovation.

The corporate transformation in South Korea has already manifested in market infrastructure. Shinhan Investment Corp. and NH Investment & Securities have completed sandbox testing for tokenized securities, covering fragmented trading of bonds and real estate assets, indicating that large financial institutions are preparing for a scaled tokenized market. At the same time, South Korea's real-name verification system covers nearly 100% of local trading accounts, effectively reducing fraud and wash trading more than in most Western markets. These developments indicate that South Korea is building the institutional foundations for digital assets, rather than merely participating in speculative cycles.

Despite significant market volatility, early adoption in South Korea continues, especially after the Terra/Luna collapse in 2022. This event heightened global institutional investors' cautious sentiment. To rebuild public trust, local regulators must demonstrate that their compliance framework is both robust and globally credible.

By 2025, the South Korean market is undergoing a transformation from consumer-driven adoption to enterprise-driven development. South Korean companies consistently absorb new technologies quickly, and blockchain is no exception. Banks are researching custody and tokenized financial products, logistics and manufacturing companies are exploring blockchain-based transparency tools, and gaming companies are integrating digital assets into platforms for both consumer and enterprise applications. The speed of enterprise-level deployments has outpaced consumer-oriented growth.

"Once South Korean companies see a successful model, they quickly follow suit," Jeon said. "A successful consumer product often becomes the blueprint for enterprise adoption." If enterprise adoption will define the next chapter of crypto, South Korea is not only ready but may even be a step ahead.

South Korea's Regulatory First-Mover Advantage

South Korea is one of the first countries to establish clear trading and compliance frameworks. The real-name trading system effectively curbed excessive speculation and enhanced transparency before similar measures were implemented in other countries. Initiatives such as the Virtual Asset User Protection Act and guidelines for Security Token Offerings (STOs) have strengthened regulation without stifling innovation, though challenges remain in aligning with Western standards. A flexible and adaptive regulatory approach may allow South Korea to maintain competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.

Jeon expects that the recent elections in South Korea (won by former opposition leader and current president Lee Jae-myung) will bring about gradual reforms rather than drastic changes. Both major political parties now recognize that approximately 6 million people in South Korea hold crypto assets, and thus have proposed policies to support the blockchain industry. In the long term, this could encourage expanded institutional participation, including banks offering digital asset services and securities firms venturing into tokenized financial products.

South Korea is unlikely to pursue rapid deregulation but will continue to refine rules to balance investor protection with market growth. For many institutions, stability is an important attraction for choosing to operate in South Korea.

Seoul is Moving Towards a 2026 Global Hub

Jeon plans to transform KBW into a year-round series of events, rather than just an annual gathering. As part of this effort, FactBlock is developing a digital platform called FABLO, aimed at extending the KBW community into a "always-on" environment.

Even without relying on KBW, Seoul is attracting talent and businesses due to its tech-friendly policies and is becoming a top global hub. Moving forward, South Korea needs more flagship projects with global leadership, but the foundational conditions are already in place. According to the "2024 Developer Report" released by Electric Capital, Asia has 32% of the world's active developers, and South Korea is one of the regions with the most mature regulatory frameworks and the most balanced distribution of developers.

When asked what message he would like to convey to overseas builders and investors, Jeon said, "Please pay close attention to South Korea. This country has a culture that embraces innovation, a populace that understands digital assets, and institutions that are preparing for the next generation of blockchain technology."

Some global teams even prefer to test new crypto products in South Korea first, as this market is both demanding and highly engaged, and once convinced, user loyalty is extremely high.

In summary, if the crypto industry of the next decade is shaped by enterprise adoption, clear regulation, and rapid consumer experimentation, South Korea is already in a leading position.