70% of South Koreans Plan to Ramp Up Crypto Investments—Here’s Why

South Korea's crypto fever isn't cooling—it's going parabolic. A new survey reveals 7 in 10 investors are doubling down, signaling a retail revolution that's leaving traditional finance in the dust.

Why the rush? While Wall Street hedge funds still debate 'digital gold,' Seoul's streets are voting with their wallets. The trend highlights a growing divide between institutional caution and Main Street's appetite for decentralized assets.

Of course, some skeptics will call it FOMO. But when 70% of a tech-savvy population bets on blockchain, maybe it's time the suits in traditional finance wake up—before they're left holding bags of yesterday's assets.

Policy Support and Retail Enthusiasm Align

Interest in cryptocurrency is growing alongside broader market enthusiasm for firms associated with stablecoin development. The trend gained traction following the election of President Lee Jae-myung, who assumed office in early June.

Lee has pledged to legalize the issuance of won-based stablecoins, with proponents arguing that this could reduce trade costs, diversify foreign exchange exposure, and increase global investor participation in Korea’s economy.

Lawmaker Min Byeong-deok, who served as head of digital assets during Lee’s campaign, echoed these benefits, noting that legal clarity could be a key driver of future economic gains.

In line with this agenda, a new parliamentary proposal WOULD allow domestic firms with a minimum equity capital of 500 million Korean won (approximately $367,000) to issue won-denominated stablecoins.

The draft law bears similarities to the GENIUS Act currently under review in the United States, though the Korean version includes explicit capital thresholds.

In contrast, the GENIUS Act does not mandate a minimum equity requirement, although it imposes enhanced oversight on issuers with market capitalizations exceeding $10 billion.

Foreign Investments Reflect Rising Confidence

Korean retail interest in stablecoins is also reflected in foreign stock holdings. Following its public listing, Circle, the issuer of USDC, has become the top overseas equity investment among South Korean retail investors, with $443 million allocated, according to Bloomberg.

Notably, as South Korea’s regulatory environment continues to evolve, retail and institutional activity may play an increasingly central role in shaping the country’s crypto economy.

Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView