South Korean crypto exchanges’ operating profit declined in the first half of the year 78%, while average daily trading volume fell 44%
BIBIBI
AT A GLANCE
KoFIU data show that 2026 operating profit, trading volume, and customer deposits of South Korean crypto exchanges declined in the first half of the year compared with the previous half.
Article
South Korean crypto exchanges’ operating profit declined in the first half of the year 78%, while average daily trading volume fell quarter over quarter 44%
PANews October 2 According to news reported by Cointelegraph, data from the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU) show that 2026 operating profit of South Korean crypto exchanges in the first half of the year declined by 78%, while exchange sales fell by 41%. Market trading activity also cooled significantly: average daily trading volume at virtual asset exchanges in South Korea declined by 44%, total crypto-asset market capitalization fell by 33%, and customer deposits denominated in Korean won decreased by 35%, while the number of accounts eligible to trade increased slightly 0.4%. The survey covered 26 registered virtual asset service providers, including 17 exchange operators and 9 custody and wallet service providers; the statistical period was from January 1 to June 30。
According to Cointelegraph, KoFIU data show that 2026 operating profit of South Korean crypto exchanges in the first half of the year declined by 78%。
02
exchange sales fell by 41%, while average daily trading volume at virtual asset exchanges in South Korea declined by 44%。
03
total crypto-asset market capitalization fell by 33%, and customer deposits denominated in Korean won decreased by 35%。
04
The number of accounts eligible to trade increased slightly 0.4%。
05
The survey covered 26 registered virtual asset service providers, including 17 exchange operators and 9 custody and wallet service providers; the statistical period was from January 1, 2026 to June 30。
AI-assisted interpretation
The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.
These figures show that, compared with the previous half, trading activity, customer deposits, sales, and operating profit at South Korean crypto trading platforms all declined; however, the number of accounts eligible to trade increased slightly. An increase in the number of accounts does not necessarily mean that trading activity increased.
Why it matters to readers
The decline in trading volume and customer deposits indicates that trading activity and available customer funds in the South Korean crypto market decreased; the declines in operating profit and sales reflect weaker exchange operating performance.
Beginners can understand average daily trading volume as a measure of market activity and customer deposits as Korean won funds that customers keep on the platform. The data in this article reflect cooling in the South Korean local market, but cannot be used to directly determine the price trend of any particular crypto asset.
Risks and unknowns
The information was relayed by PANews from Cointelegraph; no link to KoFIU’s original data or announcement was provided, so the specific statistical methodology cannot be verified from the available evidence.
The available information does not indicate whether these changes will continue into subsequent statistical periods.
The available materials do not provide data on the price of any individual crypto asset or on affected global markets.
Related Developments
Loading event timeline…
Related concepts
operating profit
This term is not in the glossary yet. Browse related concepts in the glossary.
