The daily trading volume of South Korea's five major cryptocurrency exchanges has plummeted by 88% in a year, forcing Korbit to sell assets to maintain operations

According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, the daily trading volume of South Korea's five major won virtual asset exchanges totals approximately 412.7 billion won, a decrease of 88% compared to a year ago. The total market value of global virtual assets has also shrunk by 41% to $2.322 trillion. The country's leading cryptocurrency firm Dunamu reported a year-on-year decline in revenue and operating profit of 55% and 78%, respectively, in the first quarter.

Small and medium-sized exchanges are in an even more difficult situation, with Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax, which recorded operating losses last year, expected to continue losing money this year. Korbit has sold its holdings three times this year, selling 15 bitcoins and 60 ethers within ten days this month, generating approximately 1.6 billion won in cash. A director from Tiger Research stated that the current situation can be seen as a "second crypto winter," with the total market value of cryptocurrencies significantly shrinking and new projects almost nonexistent.

Despite the market downturn, institutions are accelerating their adoption of blockchain, focusing on tokenized assets and stablecoins. Major brokerages like Future Asset have recently acquired shares in exchanges, and the government has repeatedly expressed its determination to advance the legislation of the "Digital Asset Basic Law," reflecting a continued optimism about medium- to long-term growth potential.