Why Korean Traders Are Ditching Crypto for AI Equities
At Jensen Huang’s recent appearance in Seoul, attendees waved smartphones showing stock tickers for Nvidia and Samsung rather than crypto charts.
Meanwhile, trading volumes on Upbit, South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, have declined by 12.8% recently, indicating a notable shift in retail investor sentiment.
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Korean Retail Market Rotates From Crypto to AI-Linked Equities
South Korea is witnessing a visible exodus from digital assets. Data from CoinGecko shows Upbit recorded $2.02 billion in 24-hour trading volume as of October 31, 2025. It is down by over 13% in the last 24 hours.
Trading volumes have been declining over the last several months, reflecting a sharp drop despite the exchange boasting 293 listed coins, 636 trading pairs, and a Trust Score of 8/10.
The scene became emblematic when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang appeared with Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Attendees displayed stock charts, not crypto charts, reflecting new market interests.
While Lee appeared indifferent, Huang pointed at the crowd, highlighting the moment. This went viral, seen as a symbol of Korea’s shift from speculative assets toward tech-driven growth.
“Where did all the Korean retail investors in the crypto circle go? Answer: To the stock market next door,” analyst AB Kuai Dong observed.
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Some argue that the capital rotation is a significant change, not just apathy. Retail traders now align with Korea’s national AI strategy, seeking more stable returns than volatile digital currencies offer.
Capital appears to be shifting from speculation to targeting fundamental growth opportunities instead. Korean investors are now focusing on government-driven AI industrial upgrades.
The government and top corporations are coordinating to allocate 260,000 GPU units, fueling an AI buildout that may surpass the scope of crypto.
Recently, Samsung and Nvidia announced plans for a next-generation AI megafactory partnership. The project will utilize 50,000 Nvidia GPUs to automate manufacturing. Samsung’s AI Factory aims to unify design, process, equipment, operations, and quality within one intelligent network.
The announcement coincided with Nvidia’s reported $5 trillion in market value, reinforcing its dominance in AI infrastructure.
For comparison, the total cryptocurrency market cap is about $3.8 trillion as of October 31, 2025. This contrast reflects where global tech momentum is heading.
The “Jensen moment” in Seoul may represent a handoff, from crypto to tech equities, as retail investors seek reliability.
Globally, artificial intelligence has overtaken cryptocurrency as the main avenue for growth. Korean investors seem eager to participate in national AI initiatives alongside leading corporations, rather than remain exposed to speculative markets without institutional backing.
