KOSPI Hits Record High as South Korea Crypto Trading Volume Plummets

South Korea’s financial landscape is showing a major shift. The nation’s main stock index, KOSPI, has hit an all-time high. While trading activity on local crypto exchanges has crashed to record lows. The trend, shared by CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju, reveals a growing preference among investors for traditional markets over digital assets.

KOSPI Surges to All-Time High

According to data posted by Ki Young Ju, the KOSPI index surged past 4,200 points on November 3. This marks its strongest performance in history. The index has been on a steady climb throughout the year. Which reflects renewed optimism in South Korea’s equity markets.

Analysts suggest the rally may not be entirely organic. Some believe the South Korean government is actively encouraging stock market participation. As part of a broader strategy to redirect speculative behavior away from overheated sectors like real estate and crypto. One X user commented that the president is “aggressively pushing the stock market” to cool off property speculation. They regain public support amid multiple legal challenges. Ki Young Ju agreed with that assessment. He is adding weight to the growing belief that policy-driven incentives are fueling the rally.

Crypto Trading Volume Falls to Record Lows

At the same time, trading activity on South Korea’s top five crypto exchanges: Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax has collapsed. Data from CryptoQuant shows a dramatic drop in daily trading volume. From KRW 17.1 trillion in late 2024 to just KRW 3.2 trillion by June 2025, an over 80% decline.

This plunge comes even as Bitcoin’s price has risen globally. It suggests that local retail investors are stepping back from crypto despite broader market gains. It marks one of the sharpest slowdowns in Korea’s crypto history. This signals a fundamental change in investor sentiment.

The collapse in activity has also affected the so-called “Kimchi Premium.” A market phenomenon where crypto prices in Korea trade higher than global averages. As volume thinned, that premium faded, further reducing speculative appeal.

Government Policy and Market Psychology

Observers say the government’s push to stabilize financial markets is working. But it may also be a cooling innovation in the crypto space. By making equities more attractive and tightening oversight on crypto. The policymakers seem to be reshaping where retail money flows. Ki Young Ju’s post underscores how macro-level decisions and political pressures can redirect entire KOSPI markets. Investors who once chased fast crypto gains are now chasing stock market returns instead.

A Shift in Investor Focus

South Korea’s financial momentum appears to be moving from the digital frontier back to traditional markets. With KOSPI setting records and crypto volumes hitting historic lows. The country’s speculative energy has clearly found a new home. One backed by policy and political timing rather than blockchain hype. Whether this shift lasts or reverses with the next market cycle remains to be seen. But for now, stocks are soaring and crypto’s once-dominant grip on Korean traders has loosened dramatically.