Korea's $449 bil. crypto economy leads in East Asia: Chainalysis
Korea's digital asset economy reached $449.1 billion from July 2025 to June 2026, the largest in East Asia, data showed Tuesday, as retail investors increasingly turned to artificial intelligence (AI)-related cryptocurrencies. According to global blockchain data platform Chainalysis' report, "East Asia Crypto Adoption Report: South Korea's AI Trade Comes to Crypto," Korea's crypto economy grew…
South Korea's digital asset economy reached a staggering $449.1 billion between July 2025 and June 2026, making it the largest in East Asia, according to data released by Chainalysis, a global blockchain data platform. The report titled "East Asia Crypto Adoption Report: South Korea's AI Trade Comes to Crypto" reveals that Korea's crypto economy grew by 12.3 percent from the previous year, surpassing Japan's $228.3 billion, Hong Kong's $192.2 billion, China's $176.3 billion, and Taiwan's $140.4 billion.
This remarkable growth was primarily driven by the retail-driven crypto market in South Korea, despite the limited involvement of major financial institutions. AI-related cryptocurrencies emerged as a significant indicator of retail enthusiasm, with investors flocking to tech giants like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix amid the AI-driven stock market rally, and subsequently pouring money into digital assets linked to AI-focused projects and infrastructure.
By June 2026, AI-related cryptocurrencies accounted for approximately 18 percent of the total crypto economy in South Korea.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Korea's $449 bil. crypto economy leads in East Asia: Chainalysis koreatimes.co.kr
