XRP Dominates Korea: Surpasses Bitcoin and Ethereum on UPBIT with $500M Volume Surge
- Samantha
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
In a stunning display of momentum, XRP has surged past both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in trading volume on South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, UPBIT — marking a historic milestone for the Ripple-backed digital asset.
According to 24-hour trading data, XRP witnessed over $500 million in volume, overtaking the two leading cryptocurrencies by a significant margin. This spike in activity has ignited a fresh wave of interest and speculation around XRP’s growing influence in Asian markets.
Why Korea? XRP's Strategic Stronghold
South Korea has long been a key hub for crypto activity, but the recent surge in XRP trading on UPBIT signals more than just a regional uptick — it suggests a deepening trust and demand for utility-driven tokens in one of the world’s most active trading corridors.
XRP's efficiency in cross-border payments, near-zero fees, and real-world integrations with institutions and banks may be fueling Korean traders' confidence amid broader market uncertainty. Additionally, Korean investors often lead short-term speculative rallies, and XRP’s recent bullish fundamentals may be too strong to ignore.
Breaking Down the Numbers
24-Hour XRP Volume on UPBIT: $500+ million
Bitcoin & Ethereum Volume (each): Trailing behind, in the $300–400M range.
XRP/KRW Pair: The most traded pair on the exchange, reflecting high domestic demand.
This level of dominance is extremely rare for XRP — especially when stacked against Bitcoin and Ethereum, which traditionally control the lion's share of global and regional exchange volume.
Global Ripple Effect?
This development could signal a broader shift in sentiment toward XRP as it continues gaining traction internationally. Ripple’s recent advancements — from partnerships with global banks to potential roles in central bank digital currency (CBDC) frameworks — are reshaping its market narrative from speculative altcoin to institutional-grade infrastructure.
What’s Fueling the Surge?
Increased Asian Retail Participation: South Korea’s retail traders are known for driving explosive moves, often choosing momentum-driven tokens like XRP.
Ripple’s Legal & Regulatory Clarity: Positive developments in its case with the U.S. SEC have removed much of the legal uncertainty hanging over XRP.
Speculation Around Utility: Hype around XRP’s role in cross-border payments and Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization continues to mount.
Is This Just the Beginning?
With $500 million in daily trading volume and a growing global narrative, XRP’s dominance on UPBIT could serve as a leading indicator of broader institutional and retail interest — not just in South Korea, but globally.
As traders shift focus from hype to utility, XRP may be positioning itself not just as an alternative to BTC or ETH, but as a new standard for real-world crypto adoption.
