On December 2, 2024, South Korea's cryptocurrency market experienced unprecedented activity, with retail trading volumes surpassing traditional stock markets by 22%, as reported by 10x Research. The day's trading volume reached approximately $34 billion on Dec.4, marking the second-highest daily total of the year. This surge was precipitated by a brief declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing national security concerns. The announcement led to immediate market volatility, with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices plummeting by up to 30% on local exchanges before swiftly rebounding after the martial law was lifted hours later. Traders capitalized on these rapid price fluctuations, significantly increasing trading volumes, particularly in altcoins like XRP and Tron.
Trending Cryptocurrencies in the South Korea in the Last 24 Hours
Upbit is the top leading regulated exchange in the local market. The trending cryptocurrencies are identified based on CoinMarketCap and Upbit’s real-time trading data focusing on 24-hour volume, price surges, and market sentiment. These metrics highlight the most actively traded and high-performing assets in South Korea’s dynamic crypto market. Here are the top trending cryptocurrencies in the South Korean Market
Bitcoin (BTC)
BTC Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Bitcoin faced significant volatility in South Korea following the martial law announcement, dipping sharply to $95,692 on the global exchanges. However, it quickly rebounded 2.4%, climbing above $96,000 after the policy was reversed. On Upbit, Bitcoin remains a cornerstone of the market, with over $1.7 billion in 24-hour trading volume, accounting for 6.51% of the exchange's total activity. This highlights Bitcoin’s dominance as both a store of value and a key trading asset during periods of uncertainty.
Tron (TRX)
TRX Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Tron was the standout performer of the day, experiencing a remarkable 80% surge within 24 hours to trade at $0.40. The strong performance reflects growing speculative interest in South Korea’s retail market, where Tron is increasingly favored for its role in decentralized finance. On Upbit, TRX recorded $1.2 billion in trading volume, representing 4.61% of total market activity.
XRP (XRP)
XRP Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
XRP continues to dominate trading activity in South Korea, fueled by optimism around liquidity enhancements and blockchain upgrades. The token has surged an extraordinary 200% over the past month, currently trading at $2.84. XRP’s trading volume on Upbit exceeded $6.3 billion, accounting for a staggering 26.93% of the Upbit platform’s total activity, solidifying its status as the most traded cryptocurrency in the market.
Cardano (ADA)
XRP Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
XRP continues to dominate trading activity in South Korea, fueled by optimism around liquidity enhancements and blockchain upgrades. The token has surged an extraordinary 200% over the past month, currently trading at $2.84. XRP’s trading volume on Upbit exceeded $6.3 billion, accounting for a staggering 26.93% of the Upbit platform’s total activity, solidifying its status as the most traded cryptocurrency in the market.
Cardano (ADA)
ADA Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Cardano’s robust ecosystem development and scalability improvements have driven its popularity among South Korean traders. Over the past 30 days, ADA has posted an impressive 275% gain, reaching $1.20. On Upbit, ADA recorded $362.7 million in 24-hour trading volume, contributing 1.39% of the exchange’s activity, a testament to its growing appeal in the region.
Ethereum (ETH)
ETH Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Ethereum remains a pillar of the cryptocurrency market, recovering from a low of $3,643.90 with a 3.3% gain to stabilize above $3,600. On Upbit, ETH maintained steady trading activity, generating $830.6 million in volume and demonstrating its continued relevance among South Korean traders, particularly for its critical role in decentralized finance and NFT ecosystems.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
DOGE Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Dogecoin remains a favorite memecoin in South Korea, where retail traders continue to embrace its speculative nature and meme-driven appeal. The token recorded an impressive $1.6 billion in trading volume on Upbit, reflecting its enduring popularity. At a price of $0.42, DOGE has proven its ability to sustain strong market interest even during periods of heightened volatility.
Stellar (XLM)
XLM Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Stellar is gaining traction in South Korea, thanks to its focus on cross-border payment solutions. Trading at $0.51, Stellar saw significant activity on Upbit, with $586.3 million in 24-hour trading volume, accounting for 2.24% of the platform’s overall activity. This underscores the token’s appeal to traders seeking utility-focused assets.
Hedera (HBAR)
HBAR Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Hedera has seen rapid growth this week, surging 168% to trade at $0.32. Its innovative use cases in blockchain technology, particularly for enterprises, have caught the attention of South Korean investors. On Upbit, HBAR recorded a robust $935.6 million in trading volume, accounting for 3.58% of the exchange’s total, highlighting its rising prominence.
Ethereum Name Service (ENS)
ENS Price Chart | Source: KuCoin
Ethereum Name Service continues to attract attention as a key player in the Web3 domain. Trading at $42.23, ENS saw $666.7 million in trading volume on Upbit, reflecting growing interest in decentralized domain naming solutions. Its utility and increasing adoption make it a notable contender in today’s market.
Is South Korea in the Full Altcoin Season?
South Korea’s cryptocurrency market is at the forefront of a full-fledged altcoin season, with assets like Tron (TRX), XRP, and Cardano (ADA) dominating trading volumes. Analysts point to a significant shift in trader focus toward high-growth altcoins, as Bitcoin’s funding rates remain relatively subdued at 15% annualized. This divergence highlights the appetite for speculative altcoin investments among South Korean traders.
Several factors contribute to South Korea’s role in driving global crypto trends. Retail investors dominate the market, leveraging opportunities in trending altcoins and amplifying momentum across key assets. Accessibility to comprehensive trading platforms like Upbit, the country’s largest exchange, plays a pivotal role by offering real-time performance insights and access to a diverse range of tokens. Additionally, South Korea’s regulatory environment, including the postponement of crypto tax policies until 2027, coupled with its robust technological infrastructure, provides fertile ground for the continued growth of its crypto market.
Conclusion
With record-breaking trading volumes, surging altcoins, and a retail-driven ecosystem, the region continues to lead the way in cryptocurrency adoption. A major milestone was reached recently when cryptocurrency trading volumes surpassed the traditional stock market by 22%, underscoring the profound shift in South Korea’s financial priorities. As altcoin season takes center stage, assets like TRX, XRP, and ADA remain the ones to watch in this dynamic and rapidly evolving market. Investors should do their own research in the volatile market and build a sustainable investment strategy tailored to their goals.
