Over 10M Koreans Bet on Crypto: 70% Eye Bigger Investments Amid Retirement Fears

29/06/2025 admin

Key Takeaways:

27% of Koreans aged 20–50 now hold crypto, with Bitcoin dominating their portfolios
70% of respondents say they plan to increase crypto investment, especially for retirement
Long-term and planned crypto investments are rising, replacing short-term speculation

South Korea’s crypto investment landscape is undergoing a significant shift, as virtual assets become more than just a speculative trend. A new report reveals that a large portion of Koreans between 20 to 50 years old now see cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as core components of their financial strategy — particularly for retirement.

Crypto Goes Mainstream in South Korea

South Korea is home to one of the most active crypto communities in Asia, and the latest data confirms its maturity. According to a study published by Hana Financial Research Institute, over 27% of Koreans in their 20s to 50s currently hold some form of virtual asset — a substantial increase from past years.

The survey, which collected data from 1,000 financial consumers, found that virtual assets now represent 14% of their total financial portfolios. That’s not an insignificant number in a country where real estate and traditional savings have largely ruled wealth planning for generations.

From Speculation to Strategy

Not like in the early days of crypto, for sure, when investors would plow half-a-million dollars into Bitcoin and Ethereum as some kind of epic gambling. Behavior now reflects more discipline and planning.

34% of investors now make regular, incremental crypto purchases, up from just 10% in previous years
Mid-term holdings (several months to a year) rose sharply from 26% to 47%
Meanwhile, short-term speculative trading dropped from 48% to 45%, signaling a cooling appetite for fast gains

This change is representative of a broader trend toward acceptance of crypto as a credible financial asset, especially as worries about inflation and pensions loom large.

Retirement on the Blockchain

Perhaps the most surprising — and telling — is the way that crypto is assuming an ever-greater role in retirement planning, including among older investors.

78% of investors in their 50s said they use crypto to build large savings
53% said it is specifically for retirement preparation
Among all age groups, 40% cited retirement as a key motivator, more than double the number who said they invest for fun or trends (24%)

For a nation that is currently wrestling with pension reform and an aging population, this represents a growing confidence in crypto as a hedge against an uncertain future.

Bitcoin Still Reigns Supreme

Korea’s cutting edge crypto investors are diversifying, but to now, Bitcoin has acted as their gateway asset:

60% of investors hold Bitcoin, either as a primary or supporting asset
Most investors own at least two coins, and diversification into altcoins or stablecoins increases with experience
NFTs and security tokens (STOs) remain relatively niche — 90% of investors stick solely to cryptocurrencies

The latter dynamics are reflected in global behavior, where Bitcoin is often the entry-level product to the more sophisticated eco-system behind them.

Traditional Finance’s Growing Role in Crypto

Interestingly, a whole lot of respondents wouldn’t mind if legacy players played a bigger role in crypto:

42% said a greater participation from the banks would make them more inclined to invest
35% would be swayed by more legal protections and oversight

This shift is indicative of a maturing market. Investors are no longer just searching for the next hot coin — they want safer infrastructure, friendlier on-ramps, and reliable institutions to hold up the products they use.

Socioeconomic Pressures Behind the Surge

While investment confidence is growing, underlying economic frustrations may also be driving the boom, especially among younger Koreans.

The unemployment rate for young South Koreans is 6.6%, more than double the national average. Skyrocketing housing costs and stagnant wages in many sectors have put traditional pathways to wealth out of reach for many people in their 20s and 30s.

Crypto — and its promise of outsized returns — has emerged as a legitimate but volatile alternative for financial growth. This isn’t necessarily about tech enthusiasm or Web3 values; for many, it is just the only investment path that seems available.

Korea’s crypto is driven by economic desperation, not innovation: There are a few industry insiders who have pointed this out, including CPO of Anzaetek, Eli Ilha Yune. Speaking during German Blockchain Week, Yune emphasized that for a lot of young Koreans, crypto isn’t seen as a tech revolution, but rather, as a lifeline.

Toward a New Investment Ecosystem

The report ends with a recommendation: Korea needs to build and evolve its plumbing for crypto investment to meet increasing demand and reduce friction.

Suggestions include:

Diversifying virtual asset financial products
Enhancing integrated investment management tools
Encouraging deeper collaboration between traditional financial institutions and crypto firms
Introducing more robust regulatory frameworks to protect investors without stifling innovation

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