# KRW Related Articles

HTX News Center provides the latest articles and in-depth analysis on "KRW", covering market trends, project updates, tech developments, and regulatory policies in the crypto industry.

South Korea's Crypto Market Shake-Up: How Should Traders View It?

South Korea's crypto market is experiencing significant turbulence following a six-month partial business suspension of its second-largest exchange, Bithumb. This event is widely underestimated globally and is not merely a compliance issue; it disrupts the competitive price discovery mechanism in a market where Upbit and Bithumb collectively hold 96% share. A critical structural information asymmetry exists due to language barriers and capital controls. Local political or regulatory shocks—like the 30% BTC crash in December 2024 after martial law was declared, while global markets fell only 2%—often trigger localized tremors first. This creates brief, highly profitable arbitrage windows for those with access to real-time Korean-language information. The "Kimchi Premium," the price gap between KRW and USD crypto pairs, is frequently misread. It is not just a retail sentiment indicator but a gauge of structural capital friction. Historically, this premium has a non-zero floor of about 1.24% due to capital controls, and its contraction often signals shifts in deeper capital pressures rather than a simple return to normality. Bithumb's suspension is accelerating liquidity concentration into Upbit, increasing systemic risk. Extreme price dislocations, like a 17% flash crash in February 2026 caused by a Bithumb operational error, become more likely and destructive in an overly centralized market. The core conclusion is that this structural information asymmetry will persist. The pro-crypto policies of the new government are driving institutional capital inflows while retail infrastructure tightens, continuously creating fleeting but substantial arbitrage (Alpha) opportunities. The key for global traders is to monitor local Korean signals and build infrastructure to act on them faster than the broader market.

marsbit04/05 01:48

South Korea's Crypto Market Shake-Up: How Should Traders View It?

marsbit04/05 01:48

Is South Korea set to get its own KRW-pegged stablecoin soon?

South Korea is moving closer to potentially launching its own KRW-pegged stablecoin, driven by its large and active retail crypto market. With over 18 million citizens already participating in crypto trading, the market is fast-moving and retail-focused, at times rivalling traditional equity markets. However, inefficiencies like the "Kimchi Premium"—where crypto assets trade at higher prices on local exchanges—highlight strong local demand and limited capital flow flexibility. A KRW-backed stablecoin could reduce reliance on USD-based stablecoins, improve liquidity in KRW trading pairs, enable faster settlement, and leverage existing market support from large players on Korean exchanges. Despite the potential benefits, regulatory hurdles remain a significant challenge.

ambcrypto03/28 05:06

Is South Korea set to get its own KRW-pegged stablecoin soon?

ambcrypto03/28 05:06

2025 Korean CEX Listing Review: Investing in New Tokens = 70% Loss?

The analysis examines the performance of new tokens listed on major Korean cryptocurrency exchanges (Upbit and Bithumb) in 2025, comparing them with Binance. The study finds that investing $100 in each new KRW trading pair on Upbit (59 tokens) and Bithumb (144 tokens) would have resulted in a portfolio value of only 31% of the original investment by March 11, 2026, equivalent to a 70% loss. Binance (92 tokens) performed similarly with a 29% return. Only two tokens on Upbit (KITE +232.8%, BARD +9.3%) and eight on Bithumb ended in profit. Median returns were -80.9% for Upbit and -82.1% for Bithumb, indicating worse typical performance than the average suggests. Tokens listed in the second half of the year performed better, likely due to shorter exposure to the bear market. Notably, tokens listed on both exchanges (50 tokens) showed nearly identical losses (-69.4%) to those listed only on Bithumb (-68.9%), indicating that multiple listings do not guarantee better performance. The study concludes that the loss is structural: initial buying pressure inflates prices on listing day, followed by a predictable decline. This pattern is global, not specific to Korea or any exchange.

marsbit03/12 11:07

2025 Korean CEX Listing Review: Investing in New Tokens = 70% Loss?

marsbit03/12 11:07

$1T XRP trades on Upbit – Are Korean traders ignoring Bitcoin, Ethereum?

XRP has recorded nearly $1 billion in 24-hour trading volume on South Korean exchanges Upbit and Bithumb, significantly surpassing both Bitcoin and Ethereum in local markets. This dominance is driven by strong retail participation, with altcoins comprising 80% of trading volume on major platforms. Upbit alone accounts for approximately 70% of domestic market share, and XRP/KRW pairs often represent 30–35% of daily turnover. South Korea has become a major retail liquidity hub, with KRW trading volume reaching $1.1 trillion in 2024, rivaling USD as a leading fiat gateway for crypto. Retail-driven speculative activity, characterized by small average order sizes under $1,000, fuels XRP’s outperformance. Despite its spot market strength, XRP’s derivatives engagement remains limited due to local leverage restrictions, with open interest and funding rates staying neutral compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Premium pricing of 2–10% above global levels further highlights intense local demand. Ultimately, XRP serves as a key indicator of retail sentiment in Korea’s crypto market.

ambcrypto02/16 17:02

$1T XRP trades on Upbit – Are Korean traders ignoring Bitcoin, Ethereum?

ambcrypto02/16 17:02

Upbit Lists Bittensor (TAO) with KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading Pairs

South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, listed Bittensor (TAO) on February 16, 2026, offering trading pairs with KRW, BTC, and USDT. This allows South Korean traders direct access to the token of the decentralized AI network. Initial trading restrictions were in place, including limited buy orders and a 10% floor on sell orders. Following the announcement, TAO's price saw a strong upward movement, reaching $189.23, driven by local demand and increased liquidity. The listing aligns with the growing narrative of integrating AI with blockchain rewards, and community sentiment remains positive. Despite recent market volatility, retail adoption in South Korea continues to be strong.

TheNewsCrypto02/16 12:31

Upbit Lists Bittensor (TAO) with KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading Pairs