upbit

Key Takeaways
Upbit dominates South Korea’s crypto trading scene with more than 70% market share.The exchange’s parent company recently entered a landmark $10.3 billion merger with Naver Financial.Traders benefit from ultra-competitive fees starting at just 0.05% in the KRW market.
As the crypto industry has matured, dozens of exchanges have entered the market. Yet despite rising competition, Upbit continues to stand out as the platform of choice for a majority of South Korean investors. Founded in 2017, the exchange has steadily climbed global rankings and cemented its leadership position.
Originally launched as a domestic initiative by Dunamu Inc., Upbit has evolved into one of Asia’s most influential digital asset platforms.
Upbit’s Origins and Expansion
#Upbit was launched in October 2017 under the leadership of founder Song Chi-hyung. From the outset, the exchange followed a clear strategy: differentiate fast or fall behind.
One of its earliest and most impactful moves was partnering with Bittrex, allowing Upbit to list a broader range of cryptocurrencies than any local competitor at the time. The result was immediate. Within two months of launch, Upbit recorded the highest daily trading volume of any exchange worldwide.
In 2018, the platform introduced the Upbit Crypto Index (UBCI), giving users a structured way to monitor overall market performance and sector-specific trends.
Growth, however, did not come without challenges. In 2019, Upbit suffered a major security breach that resulted in the loss of approximately $48.5 million worth of Ethereum. Rather than retreating, the company responded by overhauling its security framework and compensating users entirely from its own reserves.
These efforts led to industry-recognized certifications, including ISMS-P and ISO/IEC standards. By 2021, Upbit became the first exchange officially registered with South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit.
A defining shift came recently when Naver Financial announced a large-scale share swap to acquire Dunamu Inc. in a deal valued at $10.3 billion. This move placed Upbit within the ecosystem of South Korea’s largest internet company.
Following the transaction, founders Song Chi-hyung and Kim Hyoung-nyon joined the billionaire ranks and committed substantial capital toward advancing AI and blockchain innovation over the next five years.
What Upbit Offers Today
Trading remains the core of Upbit’s appeal, but the platform has expanded far beyond simple spot markets. It now operates as a full-service crypto ecosystem designed for both retail and institutional participants.
Upbit supports over 180 digital assets and allows seamless KRW deposits and withdrawals through K-Bank integration. For active traders, the platform offers sophisticated order types such as Fill-or-Kill and Immediate-or-Cancel, enabling tighter risk management.
Earning Through Staking
For users seeking passive returns, Upbit provides an integrated staking service. Without requiring technical expertise, users can delegate assets like Ethereum, Solana, and Cronos (CRO) directly from their accounts.
Rewards are distributed automatically, with the exchange retaining a 10% service fee to cover validator and infrastructure costs.
NFTs and Digital Culture
Upbit’s NFT marketplace highlights the cultural side of blockchain. The platform hosts curated collections featuring K-pop artists, established creators, and even partnerships with major sports brands such as SSC Napoli.
Users can trade NFTs directly on a peer-to-peer marketplace or list their own creations for sale.
Built-In Investment Tools
Long-term investors often rely on Upbit’s Coin Accumulation feature. This tool automates dollar-cost averaging by allowing users to schedule recurring purchases of assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum on a daily or weekly basis.
The approach helps smooth entry prices and removes emotional decision-making from the process.
Institutional and Developer Access
Upbit also caters to advanced users through its Open API, enabling developers to create trading bots and analytics tools.
For institutions, Dunamu provides enterprise-grade custody services, including multi-signature authorization and offline cold storage. These safeguards are designed to protect large balances from both cyber threats and internal risks.
Fees and Trading Costs
Upbit’s pricing model is one of its strongest competitive advantages.
The KRW market offers the lowest trading fees, making it especially attractive for high-volume traders. Deposits are generally free, while withdrawal costs vary depending on the blockchain used.
Understanding Withdrawal Fees
Unlike trading fees, withdrawal charges depend entirely on network conditions. High-demand blockchains such as Ethereum typically carry higher gas fees, while networks like Solana and Tron are significantly cheaper.
Upbit displays the exact fee before confirmation, ensuring transparency at every step.
Asset Listings and Transparency
Upbit works closely with the Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (DAXA) to maintain strict listing standards. Each project undergoes evaluation based on security, regulatory compliance, and real ecosystem contribution.
Assets that fail to meet these benchmarks are excluded or removed, helping protect users from low-quality or high-risk tokens.
Volume-Based Discounts and Reserves
High-frequency traders may qualify for automatic fee reductions based on 30-day trading volume. These tiered incentives are part of Upbit’s ongoing effort to remain competitive.
Crucially, the exchange enforces a strict 100% reserve policy. Customer funds are never rehypothecated, and all deposits remain fully available for withdrawal at any time.
What Sets Upbit Apart
Upbit’s dominance in South Korea gives it unique market influence. New listings often experience sharp price increases immediately after launch-a phenomenon traders refer to as the “Upbit Effect.” This is driven by deep retail liquidity and rapid onboarding of new assets.
Real-Time On-Chain Monitoring
Security remains a cornerstone of the platform. Upbit’s proprietary On-Chain Tracking Service (OTS) monitors blockchain activity in real time.
Unlike third-party compliance tools, OTS was developed internally and can flag suspicious transactions instantly. In certain cases, assets can even be frozen after leaving the platform if illicit activity is detected.
Market Insights with UBCI
The Upbit Crypto Index functions similarly to traditional market benchmarks like the S&P 500. Users can monitor overall market performance or drill down into specific sectors such as DeFi or NFTs.
This data-driven approach helps traders base decisions on trends rather than speculation.
Opening an Account
Upbit uses a mobile-first onboarding process:
Download the App – Available on iOS and Android. Sign up using email or phone and set a secure password.Activate Security – Enable two-factor authentication using Google Authenticator or KakaoAuth.Connect Your Bank – Link a K-Bank account to access KRW markets, verified via a small test deposit.Complete Verification – Finish KYC to unlock full trading and withdrawal limits.
KYC and Compliance Requirements
Due to South Korea’s regulatory framework, identity checks are stringent.
Identity Proof: Government-issued ID or passport (for eligible regions).Facial Verification: Live camera checks to prevent fraud and deepfake abuse.Address & Employment Details: Required for higher account tiers, in line with the Virtual Asset User Protection Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-Koreans use Upbit?

Upbit Korea requires a K-Bank account. Foreign users should consider Upbit’s regional platforms in Singapore, Thailand, or Indonesia.

Are funds safe during a hack?

The exchange maintains full reserves and primarily uses cold storage. In past incidents, users were reimbursed in full.
Why are withdrawals sometimes paused?

Temporary suspensions usually occur during #blockchain upgrades to prevent transaction failures.
What does an “Investment Warning” mean?

It signals elevated risk due to low liquidity, governance concerns, or potential delisting.
Does Upbit support English?

International platforms offer English support. The Korean site primarily operates in Korean via KakaoTalk and email.
Disclaimer: #BFMTimes provides information strictly for educational purposes and does not offer financial advice. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

The Upbit Effect and Global Liquidity

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‎Liquidity is the lifeblood of any protocol. The recent restoration of $WAL deposits on Upbit, South Korea’s largest exchange, marks a major milestone for @Walrus 🦭/acc ’s global reach.

‎As Asian markets—specifically Korea and Japan—pivot heavily toward Sui-based assets, the demand for $WAL is reaching new highs. This isn't just about price; it's about accessibility. More exchanges mean more storage nodes and more developers can easily acquire the $WAL they need to power the protocol.

‎The world is waking up to #Walrus. Are you positioned for the breakout?

‎#Walrus #Upbit #CryptoNews #GlobalMarkets #Liquidity $WAL

News author: Crypto Emergency
Over the last 24 hours, the South Korean cryptocurrency market has shown impressive growth in activity. Analysis of trading data from the country's largest exchanges — Upbit and Bithumb — shows a significant increase in volumes for a number of altcoins, including gaming tokens, NFT projects, and new ecosystem solutions.