June 30, 2025 | 22:04 GMT+3
Key Findings from Hana Financial Institute Report
A new report from the Hana Financial Institute revealed that more than a quarter of South Koreans aged 20 to 50 own digital assets, with cryptocurrency investments constituting approximately 14% of their total financial portfolios.
The study titled “Generation 2050 Investment Trends in Virtual Assets” indicates that crypto interest spans across age groups, led by those in their 40s with a 31% ownership rate, followed by people in their 30s at 28%, and those in their 50s at 25%.
Motivations Behind Cryptocurrency Investments
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Among investors in their 50s, 78% use crypto as a wealth accumulation tool.
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53% invest with retirement planning in mind.
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Growing numbers cited growth potential, diversification, and structured savings plans as key drivers.
Future Investment Intentions and Regulatory Views
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70% of respondents expressed a desire to expand their crypto investments in the future.
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42% said they would increase investments if traditional financial institutions played a larger role in the sector.
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Only 35% considered enhanced legal protections a major factor in building trust.
Demographics and Investment Patterns
The report highlighted that male investors in their 30s and 40s working in office jobs dominate the crypto market in South Korea.
Investment habits are maturing:
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Regular crypto buyers increased from 10% to 34%.
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Medium-term traders rose from 26% to 47%.
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Short-term trading decreased slightly.
Trust in personal recommendations declined, while reliance on official platforms and specialized analytics grew.
Portfolio Composition and Trends
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60% of investors include Bitcoin (BTC) in their portfolios.
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With growing experience, many diversify into Altcoins and Stablecoins.
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NFTs and security tokens remain niche, with 90% of investors holding only cryptocurrencies.
Challenges and Market Concerns
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70% of participants prefer to link their crypto accounts with their primary banks if regulations ease.
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Market volatility worries 56% of investors.
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Hesitant investors fear fraud and platform manipulation risks.
Crypto Boom Driven by Economic Hardship, Not Enthusiasm
Eli Ilha Yoon, Product Manager at Anzaetek, explained at Germany’s Blockchain Week that the crypto adoption wave in South Korea stems largely from financial desperation rather than enthusiasm for blockchain technology.
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Youth unemployment is high at 6.6%, more than twice the national average.
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South Korea’s slowing economy limits youth ability to invest in real estate or stocks.
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Crypto thus becomes the only viable investment option for many young people, despite limited understanding of the technology behind it.
