According to a new report released by the Hanwha Financial Research Institute on Sunday, over a quarter of South Koreans aged 20 to 50 now own digital assets, with their cryptocurrency investments accounting for 14% of their total financial portfolios.
The study, titled "Investment Trends in Virtual Assets for the 2050 Generation," shows that interest in cryptocurrencies spans across various age groups. The highest participation rate is among those in their 40s at 31%, followed by those in their 30s at 28%, and those in their 50s at 25%.
Among respondents in their 50s, 78% indicated that they view cryptocurrency as a means to accumulate funds, while 53% stated they are preparing for retirement through cryptocurrency investments. More respondents now cite growth potential, diversification, and structured savings plans as their main investment motivations.
Meanwhile, 70% of respondents expressed interest in expanding their cryptocurrency investments in the future. 42% stated they would invest more if traditional financial institutions played a larger role in the crypto market, while 35% believe that stronger legal protections are key to boosting confidence.
Investment patterns are also maturing. The proportion of investors who regularly purchase has risen from 10% to 34%, while medium-term trading has increased from 26% to 47%, and short-term trading has seen a slight decline.
The way investors obtain information is also changing. According to the report, reliance on word-of-mouth has decreased, while the use of official exchanges and analytical platforms has increased.
Bitcoin (BTC) remains the primary choice, with six out of ten investors including BTC in their holdings. However, as experience grows, many are beginning to diversify into altcoins or stablecoins. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and security tokens (STOs) remain niche markets, with nine out of ten investors still exclusively investing in tokens.
Yoon Sun-young, a researcher at the Hanwha Financial Research Institute, stated, "Virtual assets play an important role in investors' portfolios. Investors are looking forward to the institutionalization of legal frameworks and an expanded role for the existing financial sector."
A prominent pain point is the regulation limiting the association of multiple bank accounts with cryptocurrency exchanges. Seven out of ten investors indicated that they would prefer their primary bank if this rule were relaxed.
Concerns about market volatility remain widespread (56%), while worries about exchange or fraud risks are more pronounced among those hesitant to invest further.
Last week, Eli Ilha Yune, Chief Product Officer of Anzaetek, stated that the surge in cryptocurrency adoption in South Korea is not driven by optimism about blockchain technology.
Speaking at the German Blockchain Week, Yune suggested that many young South Koreans are turning to cryptocurrency out of economic despair, seeking quick profits rather than supporting the Web3 concept.
The youth unemployment rate in South Korea is a key factor, reaching 6.6%, more than double the national average. Yune explained that South Korea's once high-growth economy has stagnated, leaving many young people unemployed and unable to afford real estate or see meaningful returns from traditional investments like stocks.
According to Yune, under this economic pressure, cryptocurrency has become the only viable investment option for the younger generation in South Korea. He noted that while some young investors understand crypto technology, many are not familiar with its infrastructure.
Related: South Korean banks plan to launch a won-pegged stablecoin by 2026
Original: “Report: 27% of Koreans Aged 20-50 Hold Crypto, 70% Consider Increasing Investments”
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