The Rise of Upbit: Surpassing Coinbase and OKX in Trading Volume
The South Korean cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, has defied market trends by surpassing Coinbase and OKX in terms of trading volume. Here are the key points:
- In July, Upbit experienced a 42.3% increase in trading volume, reaching $29.8 billion.
- This propelled Upbit to become the second-largest platform by trading volume, after Binance.
- Coinbase’s trading volume dropped by 11.6% to $28.6 billion, while OKX witnessed a 5.8% decline to $29 billion.
- Other South Korean exchanges, such as Bithumb and CoinOne, also saw an increase in trading volume.
- The rise of Korean exchanges can be attributed to the influx of volume from retail traders and the declining trading activity in other regions.
Despite this achievement, Binance remains the largest platform for spot trading in crypto, recording $208 billion in trading volume in July. However, Binance’s market share has been declining for the fifth consecutive month. The decline may be linked to regulatory scrutiny and the departure of top executives. As concerns over regulatory action against Binance grow, users may seek alternatives like Upbit.
Hot Take:
The rise of Upbit and other Korean exchanges signals a shift in the global cryptocurrency market. Retail traders in South Korea have played a significant role in driving trading volume, leading to increased dominance of Korean exchanges. With regulatory pressure mounting on Binance, these exchanges have an opportunity to capture a larger share of the market. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, it’s important for traders to consider alternative platforms that offer stability and regulatory compliance.