Crypto trading volume for South Korea don drop to 2% of KOSPI

Cryptocurrency trading volume for South Korea don drop reach about 2% of KOSPI daily turnover, na sharp reversal from wetin happen last year weh retail investors carry am go. For May 29, KOSPI trades reach 118.267 trillion won, but the five biggest local exchanges — Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit and Gopax — together record only 2.713 trillion won for 24-hour volume. The drop look like e come from demand side. Money don shift to traditional equities, especially semiconductor and battery-linked stocks, as conditions steady and people dey take less risk. At the same time, tighter regulation dey reduce activity: the Virtual Asset User Protection Act (KYC/AML) wey go start July 2024 don increase compliance costs and reduce anonymity, and the government no dey classify crypto as financial asset, so institutions no fit enter well. Earlier reports also show weaker local demand through persistent negative Bitcoin Korea Premium (BTC dey trade cheaper locally than abroad). Since Upbit and Bithumb control over 90% share, lower crypto trading volume for South Korea fit pressure exchange fee revenue and valuation expectations. Analysts talk say rebound go likely need sustained global bull market, clearer rules for institutional products, and possible catalysts like spot Bitcoin ETFs in South Korea — though make return to past peaks no too likely soon. For traders, South Korea crypto trading volume versus equities now dey important gauge for both sentiment and regulatory impact.
Bearish
Di news dey show say spot demand don weak for South Korea and regulatory friction don increase—both normally dey bearish for BTC for the local market. South Korea crypto trading volume no just underperform equities but e align with one persistent negative Bitcoin Korea Premium, wey mean say BTC cheaper locally and buy pressure weak. Meanwhile, increased KYC/AML compliance costs and limits on how crypto dey treated for institutions dey reduce participation and fit keep volumes suppressed. Short term, the immediate effect likely na lower exchange activity and reduced fees/flows, wey fit dampen risk-taking among local traders. Long term, recovery go depend on policy clarity and new product pathways (e.g., spot Bitcoin ETFs). Until then, the relative demand signal and regulation overhang make sustained upside attempts less likely, so the price impact bias na bearish rather than neutral or bullish.