The crypto world is known as an environment that changes rapidly, with prices fluctuating considerably in the span of just a day or two, while the marketplaces themselves are influenced by larger movements and shifts taking place in volume, engagement rates, the fear and greed index, or as a result of changes in macroeconomics. If investors want to remain successful and maintain a steady gain rate, it’s essential to be aware of what the news has to say. However, it is also important to filter them and know what to get out of them.
Getting too much information all at once, especially if you’re just getting started in the ecosystem, can be detrimental in the long term since it can lead to either FOMO or excessive fear, both of which will convince you that acting rashly is a good idea. Airdrop news is one of the areas that investors are most interested in, for example, as this technique enables the distribution of free tokens directly to your wallet address. However, it’s important to choose them well so that you avoid potential scams and unauthorized attempts to gain access to the funds you own.
The same applies to all other types of news and announcements, so as a trader, you need to learn how to utilize the information you obtain and carry out further research as well.
Stablecoins in South Korea
South Korea is one of the most tech-forward nations in the world and is widely recognized for its support of cryptocurrencies. According to recent estimates, around 30% of Koreans aged 20 to 50 identify as crypto owners, with 70% of respondents saying they’d like to expand their investments in the near future. Almost 50% of the cohort said that they’d invest even more if traditional institutions were to play a larger role in the markets. Almost 40% also said that stronger legal protections are one of the main reasons why they feel more confident when it comes to their ventures nowadays.
These findings are in line with the market’s general findings, and it should definitely not be surprising that people are more likely to begin investing when the environment feels stable and reliable. Many Koreans said that cryptocurrencies are part of their retirement plans as well, with the majority of investors in their 50s using digital currencies to amass wealth. Short-term trading is not as common anymore, but the number of regular purchases and mid-term trading ventures has grown significantly.
Bitcoin remains the preferred choice, but what about stablecoins? At the moment, they’re at the root of a significant debate in South Korea, as the central bank is worried about capital flows, the risks associated with currencies that are linked to foreign fiat currencies, and oversights from issuers. Won-backed stablecoins would be used almost exclusively for cross-border transactions, while a combination of won-based and dollar-based stablecoins would be utilized to bypass capital flow engagement measures during times of volatility.
The dispute surrounds the question of who should be allowed to use the won stablecoins, with some believing it should only be the banks, while others think that companies and other institutions should be allowed as well, provided that they go by the regulations. All these discussions are not exclusive to South Korea either, as similar situations and regulatory shifts are occurring in countries from all over the world at the moment.
Stablecoin growth
The growing popularity of stablecoins is a topic of interest across the entire ecosystem, with financial experts in the United States warning that unchecked growth could eventually drain bank deposits, leaving regional banks particularly vulnerable. The delay of the CLARITY Act, a bill that seeks to prohibit interest on stablecoins, shows that the holdings can cause massive disruptions if misused. However, if stablecoin issuers hold a large share of their deposit in the banking system where the assets are issued, the pressure on the banks would be reduced.
The idea here is that if a deposit were to leave a bank and go into stablecoins instead, the issuer having reserved in bank deposits would mean that there’s no deposit decrease. The world’s largest stablecoins, Circle and Tether, hold a tiny number of their reserves in this manner, with the rate of re-depositing being really low as well. Regarding the differences between foreign and domestic demand, analysts say the latter is more of an issue because foreign demand doesn’t affect local bank deposits.
About a third of the demand comes from developed markets, with the remaining two-thirds stemming from emerging economies. Some estimations indicate that around $1 trillion could exit banks in emerging marketplaces, and about $500 billion will likely leave banks from developed markets by the end of 2028.
Compliance in the UK
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, which is in charge of regulating markets and financial services companies, said once again that companies need to hold the right permissions and comply with strict consumer protections and marketing practices before they have the ability to offer ETNs. The exchange-traded notes are a type of unsecured debt securities that are listed on standard stock exchanges and which track the performance rates of underlying crypto coins such as BTC or ETH.
A large online investment platform that allowed retail customers based in the United Kingdom to trade financial products was recently revealed to not have the required permissions from the regulators. ETNs returned to the British retail market at the beginning of 2025’s fourth quarter after the FCA reversed the 2021 ban. Crypto ETNs are subjected to stringent regulations, which include warnings regarding the risks, cooling-off periods, and suitability checks, among others.
The crypto marketplace is changing all over the world as it is becoming increasingly mainstream. If you’re an investor and want to make sure that your portfolio is secure, it is absolutely imperative to be aware of these changes. They will inform you of the way in which you carry out your ventures and help you figure out the best times to buy or sell.
Putting in the work and effort is what will make the difference between success and failure.
