Crypto Confidence Grows in South Korea as Stablecoin Momentum and Stock Market Surge Align
A growing number of South Koreans are planning to boost their cryptocurrency investments, fueled by rising optimism around won-based stablecoins and a government signaling strong support for digital finance. A new survey shows that interest in crypto is rising across age groups, with many viewing digital assets as both a short-term trading opportunity and a long-term investment strategy.
According to a poll conducted by the Hana Financial Research Institute, 70% of South Koreans aged 20 to 59 said they plan to invest more in crypto over the next year. Notably, 86% of current crypto holders also intend to increase their exposure. The survey, which polled 1,000 participants, found that 27% of respondents already own digital assets.
Contrary to common assumptions, it’s not just younger South Koreans jumping into the market. Investors in their 40s make up the largest share of crypto holders, accounting for 31% of all ownership. Meanwhile, older investors are using crypto for different reasons—more than half of those in their 50s cited retirement planning as their main motivation. In contrast, younger participants were more drawn to the high-risk, high-reward nature of trading.
Gender disparities remain notable: Korean men are about twice as likely to hold crypto as Korean women, a gap consistent across all age groups.
Despite rising enthusiasm, there are still concerns. Two-thirds of respondents identified market volatility as their top worry, although surprisingly only one-third expressed concern over security risks—even though half admitted to storing their crypto on exchange hot wallets, which are more vulnerable to breaches.
Stablecoins Spark Investment Boom
This surge in crypto interest coincides with a wave of enthusiasm for won-based stablecoins. President Lee Jae Myung, who took office in June, has promised to legalize such assets, and investors are already reacting. Stocks of companies positioning themselves to issue stablecoins have rallied sharply, helping lift South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index to near a four-year high. As of mid-2025, it’s the best-performing major market in Asia.
Lawmakers say the push to embrace stablecoins could cut trade costs, reduce currency risk, and draw more global capital into South Korea’s economy. A newly proposed bill in parliament would allow companies with at least 500 million KRW (about $367,000 USD) in equity to issue their own won-backed stablecoins—a move that mirrors efforts like the GENIUS Act in the U.S., albeit with stricter thresholds for participation.
Investor enthusiasm isn’t limited to domestic markets. South Koreans are looking abroad too. U.S.-based Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, has become the most popular foreign stock among South Korean investors following its IPO. Collectively, they’ve funneled $443 million into the company’s shares. Meanwhile, KakaoPay Corp, a domestic fintech firm expected to benefit from favorable crypto regulations, has seen its stock surge by 134% in just one month.
Sidhartha Shukla
With strong support from both retail investors and policymakers, South Korea is positioning itself as a global hub for digital finance. As stablecoin adoption accelerates and investor confidence strengthens, the country’s crypto future looks increasingly secure—and potentially transformative.