WuBlockchain
South Korea recorded approximately $449.1 billion in crypto activity from July 2025 to June 2026, leading East Asia, according to Chainalysis. Japan followed at $228.3 billion, then Hong Kong at $192.2 billion, mainland China at $176.3 billion and Taiwan at $140.4 billion.
Why it matters
Retail trading drove South Korea’s activity, with AI-related tokens the market’s most popular thematic category. The contrast points to different sources of crypto demand across the region, from South Korea’s retail-led market to Hong Kong’s larger institutional presence.
Market impact
Institutional platforms accounted for 16% of inflows to Hong Kong crypto services, a higher share than in other East Asian markets. The figures put South Korea’s activity at nearly twice Japan’s, while highlighting Hong Kong as a regional channel for institutional participation.
Source: [East Asia Crypto Adoption Report: South Korea’s AI Trade Comes to Crypto — Chainalysis](https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/eastern-asia-crypto-adoption-2026/)
Frequently asked questions
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How much crypto activity did South Korea record?
South Korea recorded approximately $449.1 billion in crypto activity between July 2025 and June 2026, according to Chainalysis.
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Which East Asian market ranked second?
Japan ranked second, with $228.3 billion in crypto activity over the period.
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What drove South Korea’s crypto activity?
Retail trading was the primary driver, and AI-related tokens were the market’s most popular thematic category.
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What share of Hong Kong crypto-service inflows went to institutional platforms?
Institutional platforms accounted for 16% of inflows to Hong Kong crypto services, a higher share than in the other regional markets cited.
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How did Hong Kong’s activity compare with South Korea’s?
Hong Kong recorded $192.2 billion in activity, compared with South Korea’s approximately $449.1 billion.
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