South Korea Hosts 18,000 Crypto Millionaires Amid Market Growth
- South Korea sees rise in crypto millionaires, with prominent platforms involved.
- Nineteen thousand millionaires hold significant crypto wealth.
- Market impact evident through concentrated wealth and exchange dominance.

Approximately 18,000 individuals in South Korea have become cryptocurrency millionaires, each holding over 1 billion KRW, predominantly on major platforms like Upbit.
This surge highlights the growing influence of affluent investors on market liquidity and exchange dynamics in the region.
The number of cryptocurrency millionaires holding over 1 billion KRW in South Korea has grown to approximately 18,000. This trend, supported by affluent multi-generational participation, is primarily observed on leading exchanges, notably Upbit, which holds the majority share.
The primary players include Upbit and other significant exchanges like Bithumb, where a major share of these millionaires concentrate their holdings. Investors in their 50s lead this group, reflecting a significant demographic engagement.
The concentration of wealth among cryptocurrency millionaires in South Korea significantly impacts market liquidity and operations. Upbit houses over half of these affluent investors, suggesting a centralization in market activities.
These trends have profound financial implications, leading to increased market centralization. Wealth held on top platforms highlights the prominent role of domestic exchanges in regional crypto markets.
Such concentrated asset holdings signal a need for regulatory oversight to manage potential market risks and ensure liquidity. It highlights both the financial advancements and risks involved with high market centralization. As noted by Park Sung-hoon, Lawmaker, People Power Party, “The latest figures reveal a significant concentration of wealth in the cryptocurrency market, particularly among older demographics.” source
Insights indicate potential outcomes, including more regulatory measures aimed at stabilizing markets. The history of rapid wealth growth underscores the role of major platforms in shaping South Korea’s cryptocurrency landscape.