South Korea’s Retail Traders Abandon Crypto for AI Semiconductor
TLDR
- Crypto trading volumes in South Korea have dropped by 80% in 2025.
- The KOSPI index has surged over 70% in 2025, led by AI-linked stocks.
- Retail investor participation in South Korea’s stock market surged 10%.
- Samsung Electronics and SK hynix dominate South Korea’s AI chip sector.
South Korea, once the hub of global crypto speculation, is undergoing a major shift as its retail investors turn away from cryptocurrencies in favor of the stock market. After years of dominating crypto trading, where the “Kimchi Premium” became a national phenomenon, South Korea’s crypto markets have seen a sharp decline in trading volumes. This pivot has led retail investors to the Korean stock exchange, where a surge in…
