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Best Crypto Exchanges in South Korea

In many countries, including South Korea, people already live where coins don't ring in your pocket but rather lie safely in your bank account. You swipe the card and make a quick buy, wondering if there’s something even more convenient. However, cryptocurrency is still very different from everything we knew before. 

Cryptocurrencies exist in virtual spaces unaffected by country borders or bank working hours. Their ultimate design is to provide people with financial freedom and independence. Leveraging intricate technologies, they offer seamless international transactions and boundless opportunities for financial gains.

When it comes to using these digital currencies, the easiest way is through a crypto exchange. So, let’s hop on to discuss what they're all about and check out the list of Korean crypto exchanges with the best rating.

Crypto exchanges are like bustling marketplaces where traders meet with buyers, where people can exchange their USD or KRW for digital coins, and anyone, no matter the number of assets, can step onto the trading floor. Crypto trading platforms offer convenient access to all the various digital assets in one place. Besides, they make the process of searching for the coin you want to buy simpler, match potential sellers and buyers, provide aiding tools to better analyze the market, and give you a protected storage space for your digital goods.

Any crypto exchange ranking in South Korea strives to facilitate using crypto in a few ways. This includes: 

  • Allowing direct deposits in Korean won. Sometimes, banks can impose limitations on the transaction sums or forbid some transactions to fight against regulatory breaches and exploitation of anonymity that exchanges may provide. But if you select a reputable crypto exchange, it will less likely have such issues because they usually employ measures to protect users and minimize criminal activities.
  • Providing learning materials and a simple interface for traders. Sophisticated terms and hard-to-navigate websites—all of this seems confusing and overwhelming for newcomers. On the other hand, top crypto exchanges in Korea boast a plain and localized interface for Korean users. 
  • Safeguarding against issues with the law. Non-compliance crypto platforms may be unsafe, putting users’ funds in danger. Also, investors might be afraid of legal repercussions for using them. Or, a non-competent platform may undergo a crackdown by the authorities, which can possibly lead to frozen assets. In contrast, a reliable crypto exchange, Korea, would reduce such risks to the bare minimum.

Overall, the essence of the crypto trading platform is to provide access to a well-rounded medium for profitable investing and safe, efficient trading, all within a secure system that maintains regulatory standards.

Determining the Best Crypto Exchange in South Korea

To avoid putting all your eggs in the wrong basket, it’s very advisable to contrast and compare several crypto exchange platforms. There are plenty of things that might be especially important for you, starting with particular coins you plan to buy and ending with professional investor tools that certain exchanges provide.

Below, we have outlined the most essential parameters to look for in trustworthy exchanges. 

Asset Protection

The most essential criterion for the choice of crypto exchange is the platform’s security. An ordinary user may check two things: multifactor identification (SMS, email, etc.) and insurance. If the platform provides these two things, it’s already safe enough. Unfortunately, hacks and scams are not uncommon. Thus, we recommend exploring what protective measures are listed on the exchange lists on their website. This may involve storing most of the user's assets in cold storage (90%+) while constantly utilizing only a small portion of these funds to gain income. Besides, it would be a good sign if the exchange talked clearly and openly about its regular security audits and protocols. 

Tradable Currencies

According to statistics, about 12.5% of South Korea's population uses crypto as of 2024. It’s no wonder many users find it alluring to buy as many promising alternative coins as possible. Thus, when you check out the platform, it makes sense to find out how often they list new coins and how extensive the range of current offerings is. Most reputable crypto trading platforms keep up with the trends and provide new and interesting currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Also, if you want less hustle, make sure the platform offers KRW trading pairs.

Trading Activity

When selecting the platform, make sure they offer high liquidity in the coin or coins you are going to trade. If the volume of trading is large enough, you’ll be able to enjoy more favorable conditions such as promptness of deals, minimum delays, and reduced price slippage. Some popular crypto exchanges show their daily trading volume by providing access to the order book depth so you can estimate it on your own. 

Expenses

Of course, crypto trading platforms are not completely free because they take on the organization's tasks, creating the most comfortable environment for numerous users. Yet, some platforms can charge smaller fees than others. It’s optimal to look after low trading fees (less than 0.25%-0.3%), review fee structure (if it’s flat or tiered, depending on the volume), as well as learn what exactly they take fees for. To illustrate the point, an exchange may have a low trading fee but a very high withdrawal fee, which negates all your gains. 

Methods of Payment

For Korean residents, it’s most convenient if the platform allows KRW bank transfers because you won’t have to wait until the transfer is ready and lose opportunities. Also, many Korean users like KakaoPay or Toss. If the platform only permits deposits in crypto or it takes several steps to make a fiat currency conversion, it’s better to avoid it.

Exchange's Reputation 

To verify a platform’s credibility, you can look for reviews on the Internet and research the exchange’s history for hacks or scandals. Moreover, it's essential to understand if the platform has regulatory approval. If it has, the chances you lose your money are minimal, as the platforms must adhere to high security standards to receive a license.  

Top 5 List of Korean Crypto Exchanges
Exchange NameSupported coinsFeesKRW Support
Upbit200+ coins0.05% (maker/taker fees)Yes (KRW trading pairs, instant bank deposits)
BitHumb190+ coins 0.25% (maker/taker fees)Yes (direct KRW topping-up and withdrawals)
Korbit100+ coins0.2% (trading fee)Yes (KRW deposits through bank transfers)
CoinOne100+ coins0.2% (maker/taker fees)Yes (KRW support for real-time account replenishment)
Huobi350+ coins0.2% (trading fee)Yes (KRW topping-up and withdrawal)

Crypto Exchanges in Korea: Overview

Using cryptocurrencies might be very easy or extremely hard. And the way you look at it can directly depend on the crypto trading platform you choose. A safe, compliant, and easy-to-use platform will provide you with the means to make your financial activities more efficient.

High trading volume, low fees, convenient payment methods, high-end safety measures, and coin diversity seem like a long list. But rest assured, if you select the right platform, you’ll be able to forget about trading difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
What is the lowest-fee crypto exchange in South Korea?
One of the crypto exchange platforms that charges very small fees is Upbit. It offers trading fees of around 0.05% per trade, making it the most affordable for South Korean users.
What is the biggest crypto exchange, Korea?
Upbit, BitHumb, and Korbit are the largest crypto exchanges in South Korea in terms of trading volume and user base.
On what platforms can I buy XRP?
You can buy XRP on large South Korean exchanges like Upbit, Bithumb, CoinOne, and Korbit.
Is it safe to store my savings in crypto?
Storing large amounts of savings in cryptocurrency can be risky due to market instability. It's safer to use cold storage wallets for such long-term investments.
Is it safe to provide my ID to the crypto exchange?
Yes, for a regulated exchange, it's normal to demand ID for KYC compliance. However, it’s important to stay vigilant before you do thorough research on the exchange.
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