- XRP represents 16.44% of South Korean investor portfolios, ranking second behind Bitcoin, which holds a 21.31% share.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs and Donald Trump’s election influenced new investor behavior and portfolio decisions during the last twelve months.
A recent market report reveals that South Korean cryptocurrency investors saw strong returns in 2024, with more than 70% of participants profiting from positions in XRP, Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH). The analysis, shared by Chinese crypto journalist Colin Wu, outlines shifts in local investor behavior, including the rising influence of global events and policy changes.
A survey in South Korea shows that more than 70% of South Korean investors made a profit in 2024. The assets with the largest holdings are BTC, XRP, and ETH, and the most commonly used exchanges are Upbit and Binance. YouTube and Telegram are the main channels for obtaining…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) March 27, 2025
The report states that approximately 33% of South Korea’s crypto investors entered the market last year. Those who joined within the last six months were influenced by political developments in the United States, particularly the election of Donald Trump. Meanwhile, investors with longer holding periods, between six to twelve months, acted following the approval and launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.
At the portfolio level, Bitcoin remains the most held asset, accounting for 21.31% of total investor allocation. XRP holds second place, with 16.44%, while Ethereum follows at 7.75%.
Other tokens in the top portfolio list include Dogecoin (6.59%), Solana (4.04%), PEPE (2.36%), and Shiba Inu (1.69%). The composition reflects a blend of established digital assets and speculative meme-based tokens.
According to the same source, Binance and Upbit were the most used trading platforms in South Korea during 2024. For crypto-related information, investors primarily relied on Telegram and YouTube, indicating a preference for real-time, social-driven updates over formal news channels.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., President Trump signed an executive order to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Although no purchases are expected in the near term, the government already holds close to 200,000 BTC, seized through enforcement actions, including assets recovered from the Silk Road. The administration has hinted at selling some altcoins while holding Bitcoin long term.
Looking ahead, around 75% of Korean investors expect Bitcoin to reach at least 150 million WON, or $102,000, in 2025. With XRP maintaining a strong position in portfolios and Bitcoin ETFs attracting new capital, investor sentiment remains steady across multiple segments of the South Korean crypto market.
