South Korea Sees $60 Billion Crypto Exodus Amidst Tighter Regulations

South Korea has experienced a significant outflow of cryptocurrency assets in recent months, with $60 billion worth of digital currencies being moved out of the country. According to reports from the Financial Services Commission (FSC), this exodus represents a 14% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025.

The FSC's data shows that around ₩90 trillion ($60 billion) worth of crypto assets were transferred to foreign exchanges and private wallets during the second half of last year. This movement is largely attributed to the stricter regulations imposed by authorities, aiming to curb capital flight and money laundering.

Despite this outflow, South Korean crypto exchanges saw a modest increase in user numbers, with 11.1 million accounts recorded at the end of the period. However, customer deposits surged significantly, jumping 31% to approximately ₩8.1 trillion ($5.4 billion).