$110 Billion Exodus: The 2025 South Korea Crypto Outflow Analysis

$110 billion has vanished from local platforms. In 2025, South Korean crypto investors abandoned domestic exchanges in droves, funneling massive capital into offshore platforms. It's a digital exodus driven by a growing hunger for investment tools that domestic regulators don't yet allow.

The $110 Billion South Korea Crypto Outflow 2025

According to a joint report by Coingecko and Tiger Research, South Koreans transferred over 160 trillion won ($110 billion) to foreign exchanges last year. This massive outflow highlights a widening rift between one of Asia’s most active retail markets and its restrictive regulatory environment.

The core of the issue lies in a product gap. Domestic giants like Upbit and Bithumb are limited to spot trading. Meanwhile, offshore platforms such as Binance and Bybit offer complex derivatives and leverage, which have become essential for the country's 10 million active crypto investors seeking higher volatility and returns.

Regulatory Gridlock and Market Stagnation

Hope for a more flexible market faded in December 2025 when the Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA) hit a stalemate. Disagreements among financial officials over stablecoin issuance have delayed the framework indefinitely. While the Virtual Asset User Protection Act is in effect, it focuses solely on safety, failing to address the competitive market structure issues that are pushing capital abroad.