XRP Dominates Upbit Trading Volume in 2025 Amid Global Market Fear

VADODARA, January 2, 2026 — XRP was the most traded cryptocurrency on South Korean exchange Upbit in 2025, according to user data released by its operator, Dunamu. This daily crypto analysis reveals a critical liquidity grab in Asian markets, with Upbit's cumulative user base hitting 13.26 million and new users adding 1.1 million last year. Market structure suggests this volume profile could signal a shift in altcoin dominance despite broader fear sentiment.

Market Context & Background

South Korea has historically been a high-volume corridor for crypto trading, with exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb driving significant retail activity. This mirrors the 2021 altcoin season where regional preferences often diverged from global trends. According to on-chain data, Asian trading hours frequently create Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) that are later filled during European or US sessions. The Upbit report indicates that the most active trading hour was 12:00 a.m. UTC, aligning with peak Korean market hours and suggesting localized order blocks. Related developments include recent regulatory shifts, such as Turkmenistan's legalization of crypto mining and trading, which may influence broader Asian market dynamics.

What Happened?

Dunamu's data shows XRP led Upbit's 2025 trading volume, followed by BTC, ETH, USDT, and DOGE. The user base composition was 65.4% men and 34.6% women. By age, investors in their 30s were the largest group at 28.7%, followed by those in their 40s (24.1%) and 20s (23.2%). This demographic breakdown highlights a mature investor profile, contrasting with typical retail-heavy markets. The report, sourced directly from Upbit's internal metrics, provides a primary data point for assessing East Asian crypto adoption.

Technical Analysis & Price Action

XRP is currently trading at $1.87, up 1.72% in 24 hours. Market structure suggests key support at the $1.75 level, which aligns with the 50-day moving average and a previous order block from December 2025. Resistance is observed at $2.10, near the 2025 high. The RSI sits at 58, indicating neutral momentum with slight bullish bias. Bullish Invalidation is set at $1.75; a break below this level could trigger a liquidity grab toward $1.50. Bearish Invalidation is at $2.10; a sustained move above may target $2.50. Volume profile analysis from Upbit data shows concentrated activity during Asian hours, creating potential FVGs for arbitrage.

By The Numbers

Why It Matters

Institutionally, Upbit's dominance by XRP could influence ETF approvals or regulatory clarity in Asia, as seen with SEC.gov filings in the US. Retail impact is significant: high volume on a major exchange like Upbit often precedes broader altcoin rallies, similar to the 2021 cycle. This data indicates strong regional conviction, potentially offsetting global fear sentiment. Market analysts note that such volume concentrations can lead to gamma squeezes if derivative markets align.

Community Sentiment

Bulls on X/Twitter highlight XRP's resilience despite ongoing legal challenges, pointing to Upbit's data as evidence of organic demand. Bears caution that high volume on a single exchange may not translate to global adoption, citing the Altcoin Season Index at 21 as a sign of Bitcoin dominance. No direct quotes from figures like Michael Saylor are available, but sentiment skews cautiously optimistic among Asian traders.

Price Prediction / Future Outlook

Bullish Case: If XRP holds above $1.75 and breaks $2.10, next targets are $2.50 (Fibonacci extension) and $3.00 (2024 high). Upbit volume could catalyze a broader altcoin season, especially with developments like AEON's integration of QR crypto payments enhancing utility. Bearish Case: A break below $1.75 invalidates the bullish structure, targeting $1.50 (200-day MA) and $1.20 (2025 low). Global fear sentiment and regulatory headwinds, such as those noted in APENFT's rebranding move, could pressure prices.