2026-01-05 18:29:37

Korean crypto market saw a massive $110 billion outflow in 2025 as tightened local regulations squeezed retail investor participation. The shift revealed how traders adapted quickly—generating $3.36 billion in trading fees through offshore platforms and international wallets. Industry data shows leading global exchanges captured significant market share during this migration, with the top player alone handling 58% of Korean traders' overseas activity. This trend underscores the growing gap between domestic restrictions and the borderless nature of crypto markets, pushing capital and trading volume across jurisdictional lines.

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SillyWhale

· 20h ago

South Korea's move is really brilliant. They ban and then go overseas. Retail investors really know how to play, haha. Regulatory tightening has instead generated $3.36 billion in fees. Isn't this shooting oneself in the foot? $11 billion has run away, and the largest exchange took 58% of the traffic... I have to say, this time the exchanges are really winning big. Instead of blocking, it's better to loosen up. The Korean government's move is a bit weak. Capital has no borders, and that's not just an empty phrase. Money flows wherever it wants, and nothing can stop it. I just want to know if more countries will follow Korea's example and do the same... Offshore platforms are taking off. This is the true home for crypto enthusiasts.

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ContractBugHunter

· 01-08 00:52

South Korea's recent crackdown is really funny. They push all the money overseas, and end up losing out themselves. Do the regulators even consider this logic? Decentralization is great because the tighter you control, the faster people run away. 11 billion just disappears like that. So 58% of the data isn't important; the key point is why the Korean government still wants to regulate new things with old thinking. It's doomed to fail. The offshore arbitrage trick, retail investors have been well aware of it for a long time. Bans only teach them how to play smarter. Who did the 3.36 billion in fees go to? That's the real story. Isn't it just that regulators can never keep up with the pace of innovation? It's an old script.

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GateUser-c802f0e8

· 01-07 03:51

Regulation tightens and they run away immediately, this trick is really slick --- 11 billion USD just like that, retail investors are still like leeks --- This is the freedom of web3, things that can't be avoided are simply unstoppable --- Offshore platforms earn commissions happily, but are they really safe? There's still some worry --- The largest exchange took 58%, the monopoly smell is getting stronger --- Korean regulation actually accelerated the wave of going overseas, shooting themselves in the foot --- 3.36 billion in commissions, this is true harvesting --- Capital knows no borders, restrictions can't stop it, it sounds simple but feels great to do --- Retail investors were squeezed out, but it ended up benefiting the big exchanges, ironic --- The moment cross-border flow occurs, the boundaries of traditional finance are gone

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APY_Chaser

· 01-05 18:59

Regulation tightening and then running away, this routine is really played out haha, the Koreans are transferring assets super quickly this time --- 1.1 billion just flowed out like that, offshore platforms are making a killing, I’m optimistic about the top exchanges this wave --- Retail investors are squeezed and have to figure out their own solutions, web3 is like that, no one to blame --- 58% concentrated on one exchange? That’s a pretty risky move, is it diversified or not, everyone? --- Basically, it’s something that regulation can’t control, capital can flow anywhere, will this ever be over? --- 3.36 billion in fees... the exchange is laughing crazy, our fees have gone up again, right? --- Now cross-border transactions are so convenient, the regulatory authorities probably can’t do anything about it anymore --- I just want to know what the Korean government’s next move will be, continue to block or loosen up

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HodlTheDoor

· 01-05 18:59

Regulatory tightening causes Koreans to flee directly, this is the charm of Web3... Copycat exchanges are about to celebrate again --- $110B has gone out, honestly it just means the government can't control it, haha --- Offshore platforms are making a killing, Korean retail investors are really quick with this move --- 58% of trading volume was taken by one entity? The level of monopoly is outrageous --- A classic cat-and-mouse game, the stricter the regulation, the more they run abroad --- Recalling what was said in the crypto circle before—borderless is true freedom, and now it’s being vividly validated --- $33.6B in fees... the thrill of legal arbitrage --- Wait, does this indicate that the Korean government can't control it, or does it show that the RMB circle is too clever? --- The more restrictions domestically, the more it proves how attractive foreign exchanges are

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OfflineNewbie

· 01-05 18:57

Haha, once regulations tighten, these retail investors start fleeing everywhere. With your little money, you still have to bother with offshore platforms, such effort. Retail investors are collectively "going abroad." Anyway, funds need to flow, so they can play anywhere. 58% of trading volume has moved to the largest exchange... No wonder big players are doing so well. Regarding regulatory avoidance, honestly, exchanges are making a killing. As retail investors flee, funds just flow out. Once you see through this game, it's really just like that. Transaction fees amount to 3.36 billion... All just profit for middlemen, so pitiful. What can I say, the tighter the regulation, the crazier it gets. Who would still obediently play domestically? Over 10 billion just up and run. Regulatory authorities are forcing retail investors to take high risks. The business of cutting retail investors' profits has expanded to the international version. Now it's truly global.

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SudoRm-RfWallet/

· 01-05 18:55

$11 billion run away haha, is the Korean government pushing people overseas? The stricter the regulation, the higher the fees, this business is not losing money. Retail investors are squeezed out but can still trade elsewhere, indicating that on-chain freedom truly hits a sore point.

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DataBartender

· 01-05 18:49

When regulations tighten, the retail investors run away, and offshore platforms make another round of fees. Who can handle this cycle? --- 1.1 billion escaped, and no one wants to play honestly in the domestic market anymore. Do they understand the true meaning of the market? --- The largest exchange takes in 58% of the business, feeling like they’re scamming retail investors abroad haha. --- Banning just causes people to run overseas, the problem isn’t really solved, just moved somewhere else. --- White-earned 3.36 billion in fees, this is the real big winner... --- The more regulations, the more people run away. That’s the wonderful thing about a borderless world. --- Korean regulatory authorities: We set the rules! Market: Bye-bye.

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OnChainDetective

· 01-05 18:39

ngl the 58% concentration on a single exchange is exactly the kind of wallet clustering pattern that screams systemic risk... traced through multiple hops and the transaction data suggests these flows aren't random at all. suspicious activity detected if you ask me.

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MetaMisfit

· 01-05 18:32

1.1 billion USD run away, the Korean government can't even control it. This is what Web3 should look like. The more the government clamps down, the faster retail investors run, and offshore platforms are making a killing. 58% of trading volume is overseas, what does that mean? It means the circle has long been globalized. Regulation? Haha, capital will move if it has legs, you can't stop it. This move is indeed impressive; retail investors have become smarter and are crossing borders directly. People have already moved to chains, and the Korean government is essentially sending customers to international exchanges. Borderless is the way to go, brother. This is the true essence of decentralization. The largest exchange took 58% of the pie, other small platforms are pointless.

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