South Korea's Crypto Users Top 10.8 Million, but Big Holders Remain Rare

South Korea's cryptocurrency ecosystem continues its impressive growth trajectory, with active exchange accounts reaching 24.44 million in the first half of 2025, representing a 6% surge from previous year-end figures. Despite this robust expansion, the Korean crypto market remains fundamentally retail-driven, with over 10.8 million active users predominantly consisting of small-scale investors rather than institutional whale holders.

The latest data from South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit and Financial Supervisory Service reveals the persistent democratization of digital asset adoption across licensed cryptocurrency exchanges. This growth pattern highlights the mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin, altcoins, and blockchain technology among Korean retail investors, positioning the nation as a significant player in the global cryptocurrency landscape.

The dominance of smaller investors suggests a grassroots-level crypto revolution, contrasting with markets where large institutional holders control substantial market share. This retail-centric approach could indicate stronger price stability through distributed ownership, while potentially limiting the influence of major market manipulators. South Korea's expanding crypto user base reinforces the region's commitment to digital asset innovation and regulatory-compliant trading platforms.