Dissecting the South Korean Crypto Market: Behind 16 Million Users, Who Is Dominating Trading and Narrative?

Original Title: "IOSG Weekly Brief | Cryptocurrency Marketing Ecosystem Research: Focus on the Korean Market"

Original Author: Shirley, IOSG Ventures

Recently, a16z crypto opened an office in Seoul to provide market (Go-to-Market) support for its portfolio companies, covering the Asia-Pacific region. They have also hired a regional lead with local background to provide comprehensive support to projects.

Following the previous research on "Focus on the Chinese Crypto Market: A Quick Look at the Web3 KOL and Agency Marketing Ecosystem," this article will focus on the Korean market. Given Korea's unique economic environment, rapid digital asset adoption, and emerging regulatory framework, this report on local exchanges, media, institutions, research firms, and blockchain events aims to provide valuable reference resources for investors, startups, community builders, and stakeholders.

Why Has the Korean Market Become Increasingly Important in the Crypto Space?

South Korea is widely regarded as a global cryptocurrency hotspot, with crypto trading deeply ingrained in its financial culture. It has become one of the most vibrant cryptocurrency markets globally. 2025 is poised to be a pivotal year for the industry. With over 16 million crypto users, high mobile adoption rates, and a tech-savvy population, Korea's crypto landscape is growing rapidly at an unprecedented pace.

Adoption End Analysis

South Korea Stock & Crypto Traders Analysis (2018-2025)

From 2018 to 2025, South Korea underwent a significant shift in investment patterns. Stock traders increased from 5.6 million (10.8% of the population) to 14.1 million (27.3%), a growth of 152%. More notably, cryptocurrency traders surged from 2 million (3.9%) to 16.3 million (31.6%), marking a 715% increase. By 2025, cryptocurrency traders surpassed stock traders for the first time, reflecting a major shift in retail investor preferences.

▲ Trader Growth Trend (Millions)

▲ Population Penetration Rate (%)

Key Findings

# Stock Traders

· Grew from 5.6 million in 2018 (10.8% of the population) to 14.1 million in 2025 (27.3%)

· Experienced explosive growth during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (136.7%)

· Has remained relatively stable at around 14.2 million since 2021

# Cryptocurrency Traders

· Soared from 2 million in 2018 (3.9% of the population) to 16.3 million in 2025 (31.6%)

· Grew a staggering 715% throughout the period

· Underwent significant acceleration in 2024-2025, adding nearly 7 million traders

· Surpassed Stock Traders for the first time in 2025

From 2024 to 2025, the strong performance of Bitcoin, approval of U.S. ETFs, and Trump's pro-cryptocurrency stance drove explosive growth. Cryptocurrency traders surged from 9.7 million to 16.3 million, overtaking Stock Traders for the first time in South Korea's history, reflecting a fundamental shift in retail investor preferences.

Data Source: Korea Financial Investment Association (KFIA), Korea Securities Depository (KSD), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Bank of Korea, Thornburg Investment Management, major cryptocurrency exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, Gopax), and official government statistics. Stock Trader numbers represent unique individual investors with active accounts. Cryptocurrency Trader numbers represent verified users registered with exchanges. Population data is sourced from the United Nations' "2024 World Population Prospects, Revised Edition" and Statistics Korea.

Beyond Stocks: South Korea's Cryptocurrency Adoption Surge and Market Impact

According to FinTech Weekly, as of March 2025, over 16 million people in South Korea already held cryptocurrency accounts, surpassing stock investors, with digital asset adoption reaching a new high following the election. This total represents over 30% of the population. Among them, Upbit's user base is approximately 5.4 million users (53% of the domestic market), Bithumb around 3.8 million users (37% of the domestic market), Coinone with 300,000 to 500,000 users (<5%), and Korbit with 100,000 to 200,000 users (<2%).

In terms of user count, centralized exchanges in South Korea serve 16M+ crypto users (over 30% of the population), representing around 3% of the estimated global 2025 560M cryptocurrency owners/users. It is worth noting that global data includes all cryptocurrency holders, with the majority using centralized exchanges, while Korean users primarily use regulated local platforms.

Despite Bitcoin's dominant holdings, South Korea is emerging as a major player in the global fiat-to-crypto space. According to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis's report on the "2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index," while the U.S. remains the world's largest fiat on-ramp, with a total transaction volume exceeding $24 trillion—almost four times that of the second-highest country—South Korea follows closely, with an impressive transaction volume of $722 billion. This strong performance highlights the country's growing significance in the global crypto ecosystem. In contrast, the EU's fiat-to-crypto transaction volume is slightly less than $250 billion, underscoring the scale of the Korean market. Among the top 20 countries in the index, South Korea ranks 15th. With its rapid adoption and strategic position as one of the largest crypto hubs, South Korea continues to solidify its position as a key global player in the crypto economy.

▲ Source: Chainalysis

Exchange-side Analysis

The influence of South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges is growing not only regionally but also globally. Exchanges such as Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone dominate the trading volume and are continuously evolving under Korea's robust regulatory framework. As of October 2025, local centralized exchanges represent about 1.9% of the global daily trading volume and around 3% of the global centralized exchange user base. However, when specifically measuring spot trading, Korea's share reaches about 16% of the global centralized exchange spot trading volume, highlighting the country's significant influence in fiat-to-crypto trading, mainly retail-driven, where despite a small proportion of total users, its impact is disproportionately large.

▲ Global Transaction Volume Comparison (Q4 2025) (asksurf.ai)

Compared to major global markets, South Korea maintains its leading position as a global fiat-to-crypto gateway and leads in trading volume in the Asia Pacific region, thanks to an exceptionally high per capita adoption rate (30% vs global 6.8%) and a highly active retail trading culture.

▲ South Korea vs. Major Markets Comparison (Q4 2025) (asksurf.ai)

Regulatory Impact

South Korea was one of the first countries to establish a clear framework for trading and compliance. The government's stance has gone through different stages in its regulatory journey, each responding to market developments:

· 2017-2018: Suppression and Stability: Viewed crypto as a speculative threat, authorities imposed an ICO ban, margin trading restrictions, and anonymous account bans to safeguard financial stability.

· 2019-2021: Pragmatic Regulation: Shifted towards regulated acceptance. Enforced strict AML/KYC frameworks, ultimately passing the 2020 "Specific Financial Transactions Information Act," establishing key reporting standards for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).

· 2022-2023: Investor Protection Focus: Triggered by major events like the Terra-Luna crash, this period prioritized consumer protection. The government introduced token safety guidelines and over-the-counter broker rules, laying the groundwork for future institutional products.

· 2024-Present: Institutional Integration: Cryptocurrency has become a mainstream political and financial issue. The milestone "Digital Asset Basic Act" (DABA) passed in June 2025 established a comprehensive regulatory framework covering asset classification, issuance rules, stablecoins, and taxation. This period is marked by a pursuit of balanced growth, with laws such as the "Virtual Asset Users Protection Act" imposing severe penalties for misconduct.

This evolution reflects the government's continuous learning process in crisis response, technological maturity, and recognition of cryptocurrency as a permanent part of the financial landscape. To date, public figures, companies, and exchanges are also subject to disclosure and strict monitoring. South Korea is unlikely to rapidly loosen regulations but will continue to gradually refine policy standards, striking a balance between investor protection and market growth. Over time, this may lead to expanded institutional participation, including banks offering digital asset services and securities firms engaging in tokenized financial products.

16 million users hold approximately 703 billion US dollars (102.6 trillion Korean won) in cryptocurrency assets, showcasing Korea's undeniable market depth. For any crypto project, entering the Korean market is shifting from an option to a strategic necessity, especially pre-Token Generation Event (TGE). In terms of market promotion, language and cultural barriers are significant challenges that cannot be overlooked. Therefore, collaborating with local crypto participants, especially media, GTM (Go-To-Market) agencies, research firms, and even some Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), is necessary.

The Key to Long-Term Success in the Korean Market

#Realistic Expectations for Success

Korea's long-term success relies on coordinated marketing with clear milestones. The consensus is that a minimum of 2-3 months pre-listing is necessary to build brand awareness and community engagement, and expecting a rapid increase in trading volume within the first two months is unrealistic.

#Event Duration and User Engagement

Events lasting over three months may lose user attention due to market saturation and the swift movement of retail traders. The aim is to maintain momentum without dragging out the event too long.

#Focus on Brand Awareness and Community Building

Emphasizing brand awareness, attracting Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), issuing press releases, and community building rather than solely focusing on increasing trading volume can lead to longer-term followers and project token holders.

#KOL Engagement

Building strong, meaningful relationships with KOLs requires activities, translation, and incentive measures such as whitelist allocations to facilitate better project understanding and advocacy.

#Customized Marketing for Different Customer Types

Marketing services are tailored for pre-TGE (Token Generation Event), post-TGE, and B2B institutional clients:

· Pre-TGE clients need urgent, focused marketing support for 2-3 months to establish market readiness in Korea.

· Post-TGE projects continue marketing to maintain momentum and assess team strength.

· B2B clients focus on institutional outreach, gaining exposure and professional activities beyond retail channels.

According to the institution, projects such as 0G and Sahara AI have benefited from institutional support, with institutions contributing up to 40% of their token sales volume. SUI has grown from $0.4 to $4 in two years, highlighting the importance of tight coordination between internal marketing, institutional coordination, and market maker strategies. The Korean crypto market has a decentralized institutional and research landscape, with a few dominant players and varying reputations. In the following sections, I will briefly introduce the key local media, institutions, and research firms.

Main Media Institution Introduction

Korean crypto media plays a crucial role in helping projects navigate the local market, providing a unique advantage due to their deep understanding of Korean trends, regulatory environment, and cultural nuances. With a highly engaged and tech-savvy audience, Korean crypto media delivers tailor-made content that resonates with retail investors and institutional participants. Their wide coverage and localized expertise, combined with active community engagement, make them essential partners for projects looking to succeed and thrive in Korea. This section focuses on several leading media institutions to help projects better understand the media landscape in this key market. (Order does not imply ranking)

Followin (@followin_io)

#Overview

Followin is an AI-driven crypto news platform that aggregates the entire crypto internet—news, Twitter/Telegram, KOL opinions, on-chain signals—and transforms them into real-time trading intel for retail investors. Founded in 2022, Followin has grown into Asia's leading crypto information infrastructure, with over 3 million users in the Asia-Pacific market and gaining momentum in Korea. Setting itself apart with a smarter AI news engine, the platform offers trending topics and the fastest market movement signals.

#Key Features

· Real-time News: Sub-second market movement news and price-sensitive event alerts

· Alpha Signals: AI-curated early narratives, whale activities, and breakout opportunities

· Social Sentiment Analysis: Tracking Twitter/Telegram data and top KOL trading alerts to detect sentiment shifts

· Earning and Rewards: Participate in airdrop events, earn token rewards, and engage in tasks

#Followin Service

With its large-scale retail traffic and extensive regional resource network, Followin has successfully supported numerous crypto projects in achieving zero-to-one marketing growth in the Asia-Pacific market. Followin provides an integrated Go-To-Market service layer for crypto projects across the entire Asia-Pacific region, combining real-time media distribution, localized user growth solutions, and a deep KOL network into a unified launch and growth engine.

· PR Service: Breaking news, PR distribution, online events

· Asia-Pacific User Growth: One-stop solution with localized marketing strategies

· KOL Service: KOL, community, and exchange relationships

Followin emphasizes regional partnerships, co-hosted events, and support for the Web3 ecosystem. Its collaborations help expand media influence, strengthen crypto brands, and foster community building across Asia. The platform's PR service, professional KOL connections, and multi-language channel support help crypto projects reach new audiences and enhance brand awareness.

#Core Competitive Advantages

· High-Quality Retail Trading Users: 3M+ users on the app and web, 1.7M+ users on social channels

· Regional and Multi-Language Focus: Real-time translation support for English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, covering key markets in Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China

· Asia-Pacific Network: Deep connections with KOLs, media, and communities

Followin is a leading mobile AI aggregator in Asia, leveraging the region's high mobile penetration and the multilingual needs among retail traders. By integrating a vast amount of information sources, Followin caters perfectly to traders who prioritize speed over analysis. With strong regional partnerships, the platform demonstrates effective community building and ecosystem support.

Coinness (@CoinNess_)

#Overview

Founded in 2018, Coinness is the largest crypto media and community platform in Korea by user base, serving as a leading real-time news wire in the industry. The platform serves over 1 million monthly active users, 150K+ daily active users, and 300K registered community members, making it the top choice for breaking crypto news and project exposure.

The Coinness operational network service, while maintaining a mobile app core, has successfully built a large-scale app-based crypto news and community platform—an achievement unmatched by Korea's traditional web-centric media. In terms of mobile app traffic, Coinness ranks just below the country's two major exchanges, Upbit and Bithumb, and leads among non-exchange crypto platforms.

#Key Features and Services

· Breaking News: 24/7 real-time news updates on the homepage, ensuring concise and powerful news dissemination

· PR News Section: In-depth insights PR articles, pinned at the top of the news section for enhanced visibility

· Research: Detailed articles exploring the technical aspects of crypto projects

· Interviews: Text-based interviews conducted in a Q&A format

· Pop-up Banners: Partners can display promotional banners on the platform to increase visibility

· CoinNess Night Live (CNL): Interactive AMA events held in the Coinness Telegram community, with an average of over 1000 KYC-verified participants

· Price Aggregation: Real-time digital asset prices, including liquidation rates, long/short ratios, funding rates, and detailed market data on open interest contracts

#Core Competitive Advantages

· Real-Time Asian Market Intelligence: Coinness focuses on sub-minute reporting of Korean exchange activities (such as Bithumb, Upbit) and tracks regulatory developments across Asia. This provides traders with a competitive edge, particularly for arbitrage and market surveillance insights.

· Integrating News into Trading Workflows: By combining breaking news alerts with real-time trading (spot and futures), Coinness offers a seamless user experience that bridges news discovery to position trade execution.

· Deep Korean Market Expertise: With over 7 years of dedicated focus on the Korean market, Coinness maintains an unparalleled depth in local crypto culture, regulatory nuances, and community preferences that global competitors find challenging to replicate.

· Mobile-First Architecture: This platform is optimized for mobile devices, providing push notifications, customizable alerts, and offline reading to cater to Asia's high mobile penetration rate, outperforming web-based competitors in the region.

#Key Points of Differentiation

· Setting itself apart from traditional web-based media, the Coinness app adheres to a strict Monthly Active User (MAU) standard, counting only actively engaged users rather than one-time page visitors. This approach has established a clear data-driven advantage in domestic crypto media landscape in terms of traffic, page views, and user engagement. This data credibility has been recognized by leading institutions, enabling Coinness to collaborate with major enterprises such as Kakao Bank, Hanwha Investment & Securities, and Bithumb for advertising campaigns— a distinction rarely achieved by Web3 native media platforms.

Coinness offers 24/7 coverage of cryptocurrency and blockchain developments, delivering real-time breaking news, market analysis, price indices, and expert insights. Its breaking news is distributed through 30+ API partners, including exchanges and media platforms, and is widely and organically referenced by traditional media and crypto KOLs, facilitating rapid information dissemination across the industry.

As a leading mobile-first crypto media aggregator in Asia, Coinness combines speed, cultural relevance, and integrated trading features to capture the regional market. The platform's success lies in its ability to provide real-time, actionable information to active Asian traders. With a strong local presence and seamless integration of news and trading tools, Coinness has emerged as the leading real-time crypto media platform in Asia.

Blockmedia (@with_blockmedia)

#Overview

Launched in 2017, Blockmedia defines itself as South Korea's first blockchain media, leading the market in the crypto field and ranking at the top in the crypto category. It is a media institution dedicated to educating and engaging blockchain and cryptocurrency audiences. Blockmedia initially started as an online media platform and now interacts with investors through various channels, including YouTube, Telegram, and X. The platform has gained broad recognition through its annual "BlockFesta" conference, attracting global blockchain projects. With 36K+ social followers and 58.7K YouTube subscribers, Blockmedia maintains 4 million monthly active users, standing out with its comprehensive real-time coverage, global project interviews, and original research, consolidating its market leadership position in the region.

#Key Services and Features

· Press Release: Publish press releases on Blockmedia, distribute to Telegram (35K followers) including translation and editing. Enhance exposure through Google SEO, Naver, and Telegram.

· Featured Articles: Internal research articles provided by the Blockmedia production team, offering in-depth insights into partner projects, published on Blockmedia official channels and CoinMarketCap.

· Interviews (Video/Text): Video and text interviews by the production team. Posted on YouTube (58.7K subscribers) and shared on Telegram and Twitter.

· External Communications: Distributed through other Web3 media outlets to maximize exposure and visibility to retail traders and users.

· KOL Bridging: Blockmedia selects top KOL collaborations to enhance content promotion and marketing campaigns, tailoring content and budgets for each KOL.

#Platform Highlights

· News and Market Reports: Real-time crypto and stock market updates, in-depth coverage of technology, industry trends, and major announcements.

· Regulatory Expertise: Detailed coverage of Korean regulatory updates, including stablecoins and local market policies.

· Interviews/Personalities: CEO interviews, live events, and market analysis from industry leaders.

· Research: Proprietary reports on token analysis, investment insights, DeFi protocol security, market dynamics, and forecasts, developed in collaboration with other research firms.

· Outstanding Video Content: YouTube channel with 58.7K subscribers, 9.65 million total video views across 3744 videos, including daily content such as Federal Reserve rate analysis and protocol deep dives.

· Real-time Information Feed: Receive hourly news updates via Telegram, delivering real-time market data and breaking news alerts.

#CompetitiveAdvantages

· Excellent Regulatory Coverage: Blockmedia offers outstanding in-depth reporting on Korean regulations, real-time event updates, and institutional intelligence. Its regulatory analysis goes beyond simple news aggregation, providing insights that competitors cannot match.

· Original Research: Blockmedia produces targeted research through a team of professional analysts, offering exclusive market reports and insights.

· Video Content Leadership: With its "Blmi TV" channel, Blockmedia leads in video content, providing daily updates and in-depth technical analysis on global projects, Fed rates, and more, setting it apart from local competitors.

· Comprehensive Multimedia Coverage: Unlike other leading mobile-first media platforms, Blockmedia excels in web-based multimedia content, combining traffic performance with content depth.

Blockmedia's balanced strategy, combining high traffic performance, proprietary research, and multimedia interaction, has made it a leading platform for Korean institutional investors and retail crypto audiences. Its excellent regulatory coverage and original research make it the preferred source for mature investors seeking broad exposure and in-depth insights, as well as for Web3 projects. Blockmedia continues to lead in web-based reporting, serving a diverse audience through comprehensive news, interviews, videos, and research content.

Bloomingbit 블루밍비트  (@bloomingbit_io)

#Overview

Bloomingbit is a well-known cryptocurrency and blockchain media platform in South Korea. Established as part of the largest financial media group in Korea, the Hankyung Media Group (publisher of The Korea Economic Daily), Bloomingbit focuses on providing trustworthy real-time news and insights to crypto investors, emphasizing clear and user-friendly content to help users make informed decisions without the need to sift through scattered information. The platform positions itself as the starting point for crypto investment, offering meticulously curated reports by full-time blockchain journalists, targeting both Korean and international audiences with bilingual content. Its team consists of writers and editors, catering to the global English-speaking market. They translate complex stories into concise and understandable English to share with readers.

#Key Features

· Real-time news updates, expertly curated market trend analysis, and user-friendly interface allow users to easily aggregate cryptocurrency information at a glance.

· Through its mobile application support, it translates complex stories into actionable insights, integrates social media sharing functions, and expands the reach of dissemination.

· In-depth analysis, such as the 2026 Bitcoin forecast, large transaction reports, and analyses of economic intersections.

· Provides various types of cryptocurrency content: token issuance by startups, exchange-listed coins, developer product releases, PR firm collaborations with crypto clients, projects undergoing IDO or ICO, DAO governance, etc.

#Bloomingbit's Key Services

· Organic News Releases: Editor-selected content (non-advertisement driven). (e.g., token launches, technical updates, industry partnerships, public events, and reports, etc.)

· Sponsored Content Placement: Promotional or time-sensitive content (e.g., exchange listings, token sales, product launches, AMA announcements, etc.)

· Press Release Distribution: Enhances press releases for SEO and properly tags them for long-term search engine ranking. (e.g., company updates, financial reports, investor news, security audits, protocol changes, etc.)

Bloomingbit's services cover comprehensive news coverage on blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, DeFi, Web3, altcoins, regulatory developments, exchange activities (such as Upbit, Bithumb), and global trends, with a focus often on the Korean market.

#Core Competitive Advantages

· Credibility and Support of Traditional Media: As part of Hankyung, Bloomingbit benefits from established journalism standards and an extensive financial network, setting it apart from other independent media. This positions Bloomingbit to attract serious investors.

· Curated Insights and User-Centric Content: Bloomingbit emphasizes journalist-curated actionable stories, contrasting with the rapid updates of other media that may overwhelm users with information. Distribution channels include Upbit, Bithumb, Tradingview, hankyung.com, Naver News, etc.

· Events and Thought Leadership: Bloomingbit actively participates in events such as the Korea Investment Week to showcase its influence and attract investors through market integration forecasts and economic analysis, especially in the context of high cryptocurrency traffic in Korea (a leading Asian country).

Bloomingbit combines traditional media support, curated content, and bilingual accessibility to become a reliable source of crypto information in Korea. While not necessarily having the highest traffic on major platforms, it has a significant advantage in reputation and depth due to its partnership with Korea's largest economic journal, Hankyung, and the support of local investment firm Hashed, receiving institutional exposure. As a subsidiary of Hankyung, Bloomingbit is gradually gaining more traction in the market.

TokenPost (@tokenpost)

#Overview

TokenPost is a pioneering blockchain and digital asset media platform in Korea. Founded in 2017 as the country's first professional blockchain media outlet, TokenPost has evolved into a comprehensive platform connecting the domestic and international blockchain industry, emphasizing trust, global coverage, and professionalism in reporting. With over 5.2 million monthly visits, 16.4 million page views, and over 1.1 million newsletter subscriptions, it has become a leading domestic blockchain media providing fact-based insights on cryptocurrency, DeFi, AI, Web3, policies, and industry trends rather than mere hype.

#Key Features

· Large Scale and Coverage: Attracting over 5.2 million monthly visits and 16.4 million page views, it demonstrates strong user loyalty through high and direct traffic.

· Bilingual and Global Focus: Providing content in Korean and English, and expanding into markets like Thailand to facilitate international user access and understanding of Korean crypto news and trends.

· Innovative Tools and Integration: Providing real-time price tracking (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, HBAR, BNB, XRP), blockchain notarized articles for transparency, KOL Index to measure the influence of key opinion leaders, and offering audio analysis through the TokenPost podcast.

· Data-Driven Analysis: Provide the TPI (TokenPost Index) for market trend assessment and collaborate with data providers such as Kaiko and Messari for in-depth research.

#Key Services

· News Coverage: Provide objective, fact-based coverage of blockchain, crypto markets, DeFi, AI, Web3, regulatory updates, and security issues, including breaking news and exclusive interviews.

· Research & Insights: Provide deep market analysis, hidden market insights, and educational content through a knowledge base to lower user entry barriers.

· Portfolio Management Tools: South Korea's first integrated crypto portfolio service allowing users to track assets across exchanges, simulate strategies, view performance rankings, and receive customized news.

· Community and Events: Host interactive forums, reward-based lounges, and offline events such as roadshows to provide industry education and networking opportunities.

#Core Competencies

TokenPost stands out among leading media outlets through its top traffic ranking, innovative tools, and role as a bridge connecting local and global markets.

· Scale and Coverage: With significant monthly visitors and strong domestic traffic, TokenPost has broader international access surpassing competitors.

· Innovation and Practicality: TokenPost's portfolio management tools, blockchain notarization, and KOL Index make it more than just a news platform, offering practical user value lacking in competitors. Through data analysis and simulation tools, TokenPost achieves deeper user engagement, akin to its positioning as 'smart media'.

· Content Depth and Expertise: Focused on insights, exclusive interviews, and research (e.g., partnerships with Kaiko, Messari), TokenPost provides objective analysis, staying away from hype. TokenPost's event hosting (such as Onchain Symposium) and policy focus give it stronger thought leadership in the market.

· Global and Partnership Focus: Expand to the Thai market and collaborate with companies such as Crypto.com and Chiliz to position TokenPost as a leading player in the local media.

Overall, TokenPost has emerged as a pioneer driving sustainable ecosystem development in the dynamic Korean crypto market with its massive scale, user-centric tools, and profound content, leading in both traffic and innovation, and bridging global audiences.

Main Go-To-Market Agencies Overview

In the Korean cryptocurrency market, the role of marketing agencies is evident, with many high-performing agencies—including those inclined to maintain anonymity—playing a crucial role. Here, based on existing data and information, we highlight three agencies: INF CryptoLab, 071Labs, and DeSpread, emphasizing particularly their capabilities in cryptocurrency marketing. For more information about the agencies, feel free to contact us. (No particular order)

INF CryptoLab (@INF_CryptoLab)

#Overview

INF CryptoLab is a leading Web3 accelerator and marketing company in Korea, renowned for its rapid success since its establishment in 2020. As one of the largest marketing agencies in Korea, INF has built a strong reputation for assisting crypto projects in harnessing and thriving in the Korean market.

#Key Services

KOL Marketing and Management

· Brand storytelling and strategic planning to ensure continuous brand presence.

· Identifying top-performing KOLs for maximum results with minimal expenditure.

· Tailored content and sustained exposure beyond one-time content releases.

· Effectiveness tracking through actionable data.

Research and Education

· Offering comprehensive research across Web2/Web3 platforms, media, and academic domains.

· Providing online and offline educational content to enhance market awareness.

SEO/SEM and Blog

· Collaborated with top blog KOLs to enhance visibility on search engines, with a focus on platforms like NAVER.

Traditional and Crypto PR

· Possessed expertise in selecting appropriate media partners to ensure extensive exposure.

· Secured coverage across 20+ media outlets on both Web2 and Web3 platforms.

Event Organization (Online and Offline)

· Had rich experience in organizing crypto events, including online interactive sessions, AMAs, offline conferences, and hackathons.

· YouTube/TV Interviews: Provided opportunities for projects to be featured on top Korean startup YouTube channels.

Community Management

· Managed and cultivated the Korean Telegram community, driving engagement through KOL support and localized activities.

#Key Partnerships

INF CryptoLab has collaborated with leading Web3 projects globally, including Sui, Avalanche, Injective, NEO, Openledger, Sahara, Magic Labs, Walrus, etc. They have also established partnerships with well-known enterprises such as Uniswap, Mantle, 0g Labs, Orbiter Finance, Oasys, Hashkey Global, Plume, Kite AI, RedStone, ZKPass, Jito, Pyth, and more.

#Notable Success Cases

· SUI: Exclusive marketing partner in Korea, with over 2.5 years of collaboration and work with multiple projects on the SUI platform.

· 0G Labs: Contributed 30% of its node sales volume through KOL influence.

· Aethir: Led market entry strategy for tokens and products, generating revenue for Korean institutions.

· Hyundai Card Conference: Successfully collaborated with Hyundai Card to host an event.

· Kite AI: Enhanced brand awareness in the Korean market through the KOL+INF focus mode, ensuring listing opportunities in Korea.

INF CryptoLab offers flexible high-quality services with a contract-based freelance KOL team. Their customized services cover Web2 and Web3 channels, ensuring successful entry of overseas projects into the Korean market.

071Labs  (@071_labs)

#Overview

071 Labs is a leading GTM incubator and venture capital firm in Korea, renowned for its vast client base and market influence. By leveraging innovative blockchain technology, investment, and diversified business models, 071 Labs supports the growth of blockchain startups and promising projects. Working closely with project teams, KOLs, and media, 071 Labs helps transform ideas into reality, enabling partners to take a leading position in the digital economy.

#Key Services

KOL Ambassador Program and Corporate Alliances

· Planning and managing KOL ambassador programs and alliances to enhance project exposure and credibility

PR and Media Promotion

· Publishing PR content and articles in the crypto field and traditional mainstream media to enhance brand visibility and ensure strategic media exposure

Community Building and Viral Marketing

· Establishing and managing online communities, conducting viral marketing campaigns to drive Korean market engagement and awareness

YouTube Content Creation

· Developing and producing YouTube content to promote projects and reach a wider audience

Blog, Editorial Services, and SEO

· Content creation, blog posts, and SEO strategies to increase online project visibility and drive traffic growth

#Key Case Studies/Performance Records

· Perp DEX Growth: Drove billions in trading volume for perpetual DEX partners

· Korea Node Distribution: Generated $2 million in node sales for projects like Aethir, Carv, Delysium, Moonveil

· Web2 → On-Chain User Acquisition: Helped onboard Web2 users to on-chain — making Korea the 2nd largest market for Catizen, delivering $1 million in gaming revenue within 8 months

· Founder Exposure (Web2 Retail Coverage): Secured traditional media interviews for founders, enhancing their digital presence and reaching Web2 retail markets

· PMF Support for Web2 Companies: Built and promoted Tada Mini App, supported Tada's service products, and refined PMF (Product Market Fit)

#Marketing and Portfolio

071 Labs has collaborated on marketing with top blockchain projects, including:

Catizen, UXLink, Blum, Pendle, Vana, Aethir, Carv, TON, Metis, VeChain, Ultiverse, Hooked Protocol, MVL, Navi Protocol, Scallop, Delysium, Sleepless, Tellor, Particle Network, Farcana, Prom, Metacean, Hippocrat, Sahara AI, io.net, GoPlus, Sonic, Aster, OpenEden

On the investment side, including:

Particle Network, Catizen, UXLink, Zerobase, Solv, Nubit, Aria, Vanila Finance, Multiple Network, Aimeme, OpenEden, Aster, Momentum, Moss, Tria, Billions

As Korea's largest GTM incubator and venture capital firm, 071 Labs provides a comprehensive ecosystem for blockchain projects, covering all aspects from funding and marketing to community building and viral growth. They own Dokdo DAO (Korea's largest KOL DAO with 50,000+ members) and Blockstreet (Korea's crypto PR/media agency with 4,000 daily active users), providing a competitive edge in the market.

By pioneering blockchain technology and reshaping the cryptocurrency ecosystem, 071 Labs has created innovative business models and unlocked new opportunities. They focus on collaborating with innovators, creatives, and dreamers to accelerate the growth of startups through strategic investment, technical expertise, and partnerships. 071 Labs is committed to ensuring long-term innovation and market leadership, establishing a sustainable foundation for the digital economy's future. As architects in the blockchain field, they are the ideal partners for projects seeking to fundamentally transform the industry.

DeSpread (@DeSpreadTeam)

#Overview

Founded in 2019, DeSpread is one of the largest Web3 growth studios in terms of client scale and market impact, offering Go-To-Market (GTM) strategic consulting for blockchain projects in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. DeSpread has over 30 experts who have been at the forefront of innovating the Korea Web3 GTM space. To date, DeSpread has supported over 100 global blockchain projects, all without relying on external investment. The agency is recognized for driving Web3 growth in Korea through data-driven strategies, helping overseas projects successfully enter the Korean market.

#Key Services

Brand Consulting

· Customizing GTM strategies based on market insights and narrative development.

· Providing Web3 Product-Market Fit (PMF) and brand building consultations.

· Building local partnerships and providing ecosystem support for market entry.

Growth Strategy and Media Outreach

· Data-driven product growth and marketing strategy consulting.

· Managing media relations, crisis PR, and social media strategies.

· Comprehensive online/offline event operations and media distribution.

Research and Market Insights

· Providing in-depth market research reports and data-driven insights.

· Assisting clients in tracking industry trends and building valuable connections.

Validator Services

· Validator and Infrastructure: Operates mainnet validators for multiple networks including Hyperliquid, Berachain, Story, Monad, Stacks, and Avail, also serving as an LST validator on Berachain, Hyperliquid, and Monad, providing reliable technical support for the region.

DAT (Digital Asset Treasury) Strategist

· Pioneering various opportunities in the Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) space in South Korea

· Connecting global DAT investors with top Korean financial institutions

· Designing tailored asset acquisition strategies for investors with different risk appetites and offering personalized solutions

#Key Partnerships and Use Cases

As one of the earliest and longest-standing GTM companies in Korea, DeSpread collaborated with projects such as Solana, Stacks, The Sandbox, and Filecoin from the early days. Over time, their list of partners has expanded, including successful cases with Aptos, Sui, Arbitrum, Berachain, Soneium, Story, Babylon, Gensyn, among others.

As a deep ecosystem participant, DeSpread is committed to driving a comprehensive GTM strategy through a dual-track framework:

1. Matching on-chain service providers with existing and potential on-chain user needs

2. Connecting projects with investment decision-makers through education and relationships. These objectives, based on their core services—brand consulting, growth strategy, research, and validator services, strategically incorporate DAT coverage as a specialized tool within the ecosystem to facilitate institutional collaboration and enterprise utility.

DeSpread has also expanded its coverage to retail and bulk user adoption capabilities through the DATCON2025 conference, achieving overall GTM coverage of users and investors.

Main Research Companies Overview

Korean exchanges heavily rely on research reports during project listings, highlighting the importance of neutral, trustworthy research to market participation. Led by Four Pillars, Tiger Research, and Xangle, the Korean research company ecosystem is integrating to become a strong force shaping its cryptocurrency market. (Listed in no particular order)

FourPillars (@FourPillarsFP)

#Overview

FourPillars is one of Asia's fastest-growing crypto research firms, headquartered in Seoul, focusing on providing institutional and crypto-native professionals with professional, data-driven analysis. Founded with a mission to offer high-quality industry insights, the company aims to shape Asia's blockchain narrative through research, infrastructure, and influence. FourPillars boasts a professional research team that is expanding its influence beyond Korea to encompass English-speaking countries and the broader Asian market.

#Core Business and Highlights

Four Pillars' core business revolves around producing in-depth research to bridge the gap between institutional investors and the crypto ecosystem. The company collaborates with blockchain projects to foster ecosystem growth, including business expansion in Korea and developer opportunities. They have also introduced a Validator Brand - FP Validated to promote ecosystem development.

· Research Reports and Articles: Providing comprehensive guides and outlook analysis reports that are neutral in content and catered to builders, retail, and investors.

· Validator Services: Launching theory-driven blockchain validators for L1/L2 blockchains targeting investors and traders.

· Data-Driven Tools: Providing public dashboards for crypto projects to analyze and display key metrics.

· Ecosystem Contributions: Driving global projects into the Korean market through event reviews and project collaboration initiatives.

#Strengths and Conclusion

FourPillars focuses on institutional-grade, forward-looking research, offering in-depth technical analysis (e.g., ZK Proof, Real World Assets (RWAs), ecosystem outlook). Its research aims to assist crypto natives in strategic planning, and its narrative-driven approach combines technical depth with actionable insights to drive ecosystem development. This focus sets FourPillars apart in the competitive landscape.

· Selective Validators: Operating as top validators on-chain only after stringent screening.

· Validated Product-Market Fit: Research has demonstrated clear market applicability.

· Scalable Growth: Validators used for strategic expansion rather than dispersing core business focus.

· Industry-Leading Trust: Widely trusted by founders, funds, and the community.

· First-Mover Advantage: A pioneer in shaping the institutional-grade crypto narrative in South Korea.

· Expand Regional Influence: Broadening its influence across the wider Asian region.

TigerResearch (@tiger_research)

#Overview

Tiger Research is a South Korea-based research and consulting firm focused on Web3 and the blockchain space, with a particular emphasis on the Asian market. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Seoul, the company has branches in key cities such as Tokyo, Hanoi, and Jakarta, expanding its presence in regions like Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and China. Tiger Research offers comprehensive solutions for global Web3 projects to enter and expand in the Asian market, leveraging deep insights into local markets to help projects succeed in Asia.

#Core Business and Highlights

Tiger Research positions itself as a "guide" for global Web3 projects in Asia, providing a comprehensive, execution-focused market entry approach. The company combines bottom-up market research with results-driven business strategies to minimize risks and accelerate client growth. Emphasizing long-term partnerships, problem-solving capabilities, and leveraging local networks, Tiger Research aims to create sustainable success in complex markets.

· Market Research and Reports: Offers customized, in-depth reports covering regulations, market trends, and ecosystem dynamics. These reports are published twice a week, tracking the latest developments in countries like South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

· Business Development and Advisory: Provides tailored Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, compliance guidance, and market entry solutions. Tracks government policies and trends in the target regions daily.

· Partnership and Ecosystem Building: Utilizes over 30 local partners to facilitate collaborations and create synergies. For example, collaborates with other research firms to release reports on the Southeast Asian market. Also serves as a research partner for events like Malaysia Blockchain Week.

#Benefits and Conclusion

Tiger Research stands out in the Korean crypto research field from globally data-centric companies with its practicality-driven, execution-focused approach and regional expertise. The company provides customized research reports covering regulations, market trends, and business dynamics, emphasizing real-world execution over mere ideation. This results-oriented approach enables clients to quickly adapt and scale in rapidly evolving markets.

Tiger Research offers an end-to-end solution, from market analysis to a comprehensive Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, helping clients minimize risks and accelerate growth. With a multi-region business presence, deep local networks, and a philosophy of trust-building, Tiger Research becomes a practical and reliable partner for Asia's Web3 growth. By prioritizing actionable insights and fostering long-term partnerships, Tiger Research assists clients in navigating complex regional markets and achieving sustainable success.

Xangle (@Xangle_official)

#Overview

Xangle is a Korean Web3 research and infrastructure company focused on providing institutional-grade market research, on-chain ecosystem infrastructure, and transparency tools for the Web3 ecosystem. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seoul, Xangle is widely regarded as a key analytical reference point in the Korean crypto market, one of the world's largest crypto trading hubs. Xangle's mission is to support enterprises and investors with data-driven decision-making while ensuring compliance.

#Core Business and Highlights

Xangle's work is research-driven, supporting its broader role in ecosystem transparency and infrastructure development. Its core activities include protocol-layer analysis, research publications, and operating on-chain infrastructure such as blockchain explorers and validator nodes.

· Research and Market Intelligence: Providing institutional-grade research covering regulatory updates and future outlooks, which can be accessed by institutional users through platforms like Bloomberg Terminal.

· Protocol Disclosure and Information Standards: Maintaining a standardized disclosure framework focusing on accurate communication of blockchain project protocols, governance structures, and token designs.

· Blockchain Explorer and Ecosystem Infrastructure: Design and operate the official blockchain explorer and ecosystem hub, providing integrated on-chain data access, governance information, and ecosystem overview for L1 and L2 networks.

· Validator and On-Chain Operations: Operate validator infrastructure for selected blockchain networks, supporting network security and governance participation.

#Benefits and Conclusion

Xangle stands out with its quantitative on-chain data and institutional-grade integration, positioning itself as a leading platform for real-time analysis and compliance in the Asian crypto market. Setting itself apart from other qualitative or consultancy-driven firms, Xangle provides research based on empirical data, with a specific focus on regulatory alignment and market transparency, particularly suitable for South Korea's stringent crypto environment. Its data reliability, regulatory focus, and global integration make Xangle a valuable tool for institutions, exchanges, and crypto projects in the competitive Asian crypto market.

Introduction to Key South Korean Blockchain Conferences and Strategic Value Assessment

South Korea's blockchain conference ecosystem is mature and diverse, with major events categorized into global summits, exchange-led developer conferences, technology-focused builder gatherings, and government-supported regional events. The following is a detailed introduction to six key conferences, covering key information such as conference overview, organizers, target audience, and impact assessment. It also focuses on assessing the strategic value of sponsoring these events for project token listing on major Korean exchanges (such as Upbit or Bithumb) and enhancing the project's local brand awareness in South Korea.

Overview of Key South Korean Blockchain Conferences

#Korea Blockchain Week (KBW)

KBW is the largest and most internationally influential annual blockchain event in Korea, held every year since 2018. It is not just an industry conference but a week-long Web3 festival centered around the flagship conference "IMPACT."

· Organizers: FACTBLOCK (Founder and Host) and Hashed (Major Crypto VC Firm) among other collaborating institutions.

· Target Audience: Global Web3 leaders, top developers, international investors, corporate executives, and everyday crypto enthusiasts.

· Influence Assessment: KBW is the primary bridge connecting global projects with the Korean market. It has the highest media exposure and broadest international participation, making it the preferred platform for building a global and Korean market network.

#Upbit D Conference (UDC)

UDC is a global blockchain conference hosted by Dunamu, the operator of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit. The conference was originally named the "Upbit Developer Conference" and has now expanded to cover various areas such as technology, policy, and industry trends.

· Organizer: Dunamu (Operator of Upbit).

· Target Audience: Blockchain developers, industry experts, regulatory representatives, and stakeholders interested in the Upbit ecosystem.

· Influence Assessment: UDC holds the highest direct strategic value for projects seeking listing on Upbit. It is a non-profit event aimed at ecosystem development, and a project's presence at UDC is seen as a strong signal of Upbit's recognition of its technical and ecosystem value.

#ETH Seoul

ETH Seoul is an annual developer event focused on the Ethereum ecosystem, typically featuring hackathons and technical summits. It is a core event for the Ethereum global community in South Korea.

· Organizer: KryptoPlanet, supported by Dunamu and other institutions.

· Target Audience: Ethereum developers, researchers, DeFi/NFT protocol teams, and Ethereum enthusiasts.

· Influence Assessment: It is one of South Korea's most pure technical developer gatherings. For projects built on Ethereum, ETH Seoul is a key platform for showcasing technical innovation, attracting the Korean core developer community, and gaining attention from global institutions like the Ethereum Foundation.

#BUIDL Asia

BUIDL Asia is a tech-focused conference that centers around “builders” and protocol development. Its core value lies in high-quality technical discussions and community building.

· Organizers: KryptoPlanet, among others.

· Target Audience: Core developers, blockchain researchers, protocol teams, and projects focused on technical innovation.

· Influence Assessment: It enjoys a reputation in the Korean developer community and serves as an excellent venue for projects to showcase their technical prowess and code quality. For technology-driven projects, gaining recognition at BUIDL Asia can help them stand out in exchange technical evaluations.

#Blockchain Week in Busan (BWB)

BWB is a regional event supported by the Busan Metropolitan City Government with the aim of driving Busan’s vision to become a “Blockchain City.”

· Organizers: Busan Digital Asset Nexus (BDAN), with support from the Busan Metropolitan Government and major media groups.

· Target Audience: Institutional leaders, regulatory officials, local government representatives, and projects focused on RWAs (Real-World Assets) and STOs (Security Token Offerings).

· Influence Assessment: It has a strong regulatory and institutional background. For projects seeking partnerships with South Korean traditional financial institutions or focusing on compliance pathways like RWAs, STOs, BWB provides a unique point of contact.

▲ Comparison of Major Blockchain Conferences in South Korea

Strategic Evaluation of Sponsorship Events for Token Listing and Branding

In South Korea, token listing and branding are highly specialized and regulated processes. Sponsoring top blockchain conferences is not a direct pass to listing but is an essential strategic step that can significantly enhance a project's competitiveness in exchange evaluations.

#Enhancing Brand Awareness and Local Legitimacy

The Korean market places a high emphasis on localization and "Local Legitimacy".

· Building Trust: Sponsoring key conferences, especially those with strong local influence in Korea such as UDC and KBW, sends a signal to Korean investors and regulatory bodies of the project's financial stability and serious commitment to the Korean market.

· Media Exposure: Local Korean media cover these conferences extensively. Through sponsorship and speaking engagements at these conferences, projects can gain high-quality media exposure, directly reaching the Korean cryptocurrency community.

· Technical Endorsement: Participation in events like ETH Seoul or BUIDL Asia can provide a strong technical endorsement for the project. Korean exchanges (especially Upbit) highly value a project's technical capabilities, and active participation in these hardcore technical conferences is a solid proof of technical prowess.

#Facilitating Token Listing on Upbit and Bithumb Exchanges

Korea's top five exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, Gopax) together form the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) and adhere to a set of unified self-regulatory listing and delisting guidelines. For example:

A. Listing Strategic Focus for Upbit: UDC and ETH Seoul

Operated by Dunamu, Upbit's listing evaluation emphasizes "Service Proof" and "Developer Proof".

· UDC: Provides the most direct connection to the Upbit ecosystem.

· ETH Seoul: For Ethereum ecosystem projects, deep involvement at ETH Seoul (such as sponsoring hackathons) can attract attention from the Upbit tech team as Upbit closely monitors technical advancements in the Ethereum ecosystem.

B. Listing Strategic Focus for Bithumb: KBW

Bithumb focuses more on liquidity, community engagement, and market demand.

· KBW: Showcasing the project's global impact and providing the best stage to attract attention from South Korean retail investors/market makers.

· Xangle Adoption: By demonstrating collaboration with major South Korean enterprises, proving the project's business sustainability, and meeting Bithumb's strict standards for project quality.

#Strategic Summary

Sponsoring top-tier blockchain conferences in South Korea is a key part of the project's market entry strategy into Korea. The sponsorship fee should be seen as an investment in marketing and public relations. This investment helps the project stand out among numerous applicants and win favor with exchanges in the competitive, heavily regulated Korean market. South Korea's blockchain conferences represent a strategic high ground for market entry. Korean Blockchain Week (KBW) offers the broadest network, Upbit Developer Conference (UDC) holds the highest value for Upbit listings, ETH Seoul and BUIDL Asia provide essential technical endorsements, and BWB contributes support in enterprise collaboration and regulatory compliance. By strategically sponsoring and participating in these events, the project can significantly boost its brand awareness in Korea, as well as establish a solid local legitimacy, technical prowess, and institutional trust foundation to meet the increasingly stringent listing evaluation standards of exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb.

Final Thoughts

The growing influence of the South Korean crypto ecosystem has made it a key market for anyone interested in the future of Web3 to watch.

By 2025, South Korea's crypto ecosystem has seen rapid growth, benefiting from technological advancements and prudent yet progressive regulatory policies. The country boasts one of the world's largest retail investor bases, with millions of active users and trading volumes comparable to traditional stock markets. Korea's unique crypto culture enthusiasm and pragmatic regulatory measures are fostering a safer, more compliant market.

As a significant global crypto hub, Korea presents immense opportunities for international investors. However, to succeed in this market, foreign projects must closely collaborate with local crypto players—including media, GTM agencies, research firms, event organizers, and even individual KOLs. These partnerships are crucial for understanding Korea's unique cultural differences, regulatory environment, and market dynamics. Local agencies can assist in tailoring marketing strategies, while research firms provide valuable insights and data to ensure compliance and market relevance. Events like Korean Blockchain Week also offer valuable networking opportunities to help international projects connect with local stakeholders and bridge the gap between domestic and foreign participants. At the same time, local firms are eager to collaborate with international projects, resulting in a higher level of acceptance of foreign projects in the Korean market.

Despite ongoing challenges such as complex regulations, exchange dominance, and market share competition, South Korea continues to solidify its position in the crypto space, showcasing how smart regulation and rapid adoption can coevolve. Its growing influence highlights South Korea as a key market for successfully entering the Asian and global markets with Web3 projects. Building relationships with local players is not just an advantage—it is a prerequisite for success in entering the Korean crypto market.

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