As demand returns to the markets South Korea is once again leading the way for trade volume. Bitcoin recorded a monthly high trading volume on exchanges in the country as fears of clampdowns subside and confidence returns to the crypto markets.
Local media reported that domestic Bitcoin trading volume reached a maximum value in the month following the holiday season. Over $250 million has been traded in BTC on South Korea’s leading exchange Bithumb in the past 24 hours.
New Bitcoin Trade Volume High
The recorded volume on the 19th was the largest in a month indicating a steady return to crypto trading for South Koreans. Over 84,979 Bitcoins were traded at a value of 1.24 trillion won. This is higher than the last peak level on January 20 when 80,829 BTC were traded. The surge rose more than half of the 16 day trading volume of 42,094 Bitcoins two days ago, and the 17 day trading volume was only 58,329 coins. The Kimchi premium, which shows overheating in the domestic market, also stood at around 6-7%.
During the big dip on February 6 Bitcoin prices fell lower in South Korea than elsewhere however it has since doubled in less than two weeks. Transaction volume has increased with the inflating price and a lot of investors got in at a psychologically significant 10 million won price level ($9,300). Positive conclusions from crypto conferences in the US, and self-regulatory bodies being setup in Japan, has boosted buoyancy in the markets and traders are returning.
Bitcoin is currently trading at $11,420 on Bithumb, and $10,800 internationally. There are often discrepancies in prices on Asian exchanges as demand is greater. The fact that a new volume level has been reached is a positive indicator for the state of the markets in general, South Korea is once again leading the way back to full confidence in cryptocurrencies.
According to Coinmarketcap Bithumb is the world’s fifth largest exchange with over a billion dollars in daily trade for all crypto assets. Ripple is currently the top traded coin on the exchange with over $300 million traded in XRP/KRW in the past 24 hours. It accounts for 30% of the total volume on that exchange with Bitcoin second at 24% and EOS third at 12.5%.