South Korean crypto exchange profits plunge 78% in H1
Operating profits at South Korean crypto exchanges fell 78% in the first half of 2026 as average daily trading volume dropped 44% from the previous six months.
Operating profits at South Korean crypto exchanges fell 78% in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit. Lower trading activity, market capitalization and customer deposits reduced revenue.
Average daily trading volume at domestic virtual asset exchanges dropped 44% from the previous six months. Exchange sales fell 41%, while the total market capitalization of listed virtual assets declined 33%. Won-denominated customer deposits decreased 35%.
The survey covered 26 registered virtual asset service providers, including 17 exchange operators and nine custody and wallet providers. It measured activity from Jan. 1 through June 30. The number of accounts eligible to trade rose 0.4% during the period.
The value of crypto assets held by South Korean investors fell 50.2% over roughly one year to 60.6 trillion won ($41.4 billion) in May. During the same period, combined average daily trading volume at the country’s five largest exchanges-Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit and Gopax-fell about 89% year over year during comparable seven-day periods in July.
The KOSPI, South Korea’s benchmark stock index, more than doubled in the 12 months to July 22.
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