South Korean Retail Investors Shift from Tesla to Crypto-Linked Stocks Amid Digital Asset Boom

Tesla's appeal among South Korean retail investors continues to wane as capital flows pivot toward cryptocurrency-related equities. August saw $657 million in Tesla stock outflows—the largest monthly divestment since 2019—while crypto-linked plays like Bitmine Immersion Technology attracted $253 million in inflows. The electric vehicle maker has bled $1.8 billion from Korean portfolios over four months.

"Tesla failed to win hearts by lacking a compelling AI narrative," remarked a 33-year-old investor who liquidated his position this year. The trend underscores a broader regional appetite for volatile, crypto-correlated assets over traditional tech stalwarts. Retail traders now prioritize upside potential in digital asset infrastructure plays as institutional adoption accelerates globally.