Bitzlato temporarily suspends withdrawal amid ongoing legal battle

Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange operated by Dunamu, announced on Jan. 2 that its user base surpassed 13 million by the end of last year. With South Korea’s population at 51.6 million, the data implies that roughly one in four Koreans now holds an account on the platform. Demographic breakdowns show that users in their 30s comprise the largest cohort at 28.7%, followed by those in their 40s at 24.1% and 20s at 23.2%. Users in their 50s accounted for 16.9%, while those in their 60s and 70s made up 6.0% and 1.1%, respectively. Adoption is particularly high among younger generations, with the combined total of users in their 20s and 30s reaching 5.48 million. Based on Ministry of the Interior and Safety data showing 12.37 million people aged 20 to 39 as of November, approximately 44% of Koreans in this age demographic use the platform. Upbit added 1.1 million new users last year, with men comprising 56.9% of new accounts and women 43.1%.Photo by Kanchanara on UnsplashXRP overtakes BTC and ETH in tradingIn terms of trading volume, Ripple’s XRP was the most traded cryptocurrency in 2025, outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum. Daily activity peaked in the morning, coinciding with the start of the typical business day. The highest volumes were recorded at 00:00 UTC, or 9 a.m. Korea Standard Time. Beyond standard trading, users are increasingly turning to Upbit’s asset management tools. Since its 2022 launch, the platform’s staking feature has attracted over 300,000 users, generating 257.3 billion won ($178.6 million) in total rewards. Furthermore, a dollar-cost averaging feature introduced in August 2024 has drawn about 220,000 users, with cumulative investments totaling 478.1 billion won ($331.9 million). Kbank eyes public listingIn the broader ecosystem, Upbit’s banking partner is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) this year. Kbank, an internet-only lender that has partnered with Upbit since 2020, is closely linked to the exchange through shared customers. According to Hansbiz, crypto-related funds accounted for roughly 16% of Kbank’s total deposits as of the first half of 2025. Under South Korean law, fiat-to-crypto service providers must secure real-name accounts from a local bank, meaning Upbit users are required to deposit Korean won at Kbank before trading on the exchange. However, Kbank’s financial performance has softened following the 2024 implementation of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which compelled the bank to raise annual interest rates on deposits from Upbit users from 0.1% to 2.1%. On a consolidated basis, net interest income totaled 323.2 billion won ($224 million) in the third quarter of 2025, down 13% year over year. Net fee income remained in the red, posting a loss of 2.8 billion won ($1.94 million), widening from a 1.3 billion won loss in the same period a year earlier. This latest IPO push follows two failed attempts and carries contractual implications. When Kbank raised 725 billion won ($503 million) in 2021 from investors including Bain Capital and MBK Partners, it pledged to list its shares by July 2026. If the upcoming attempt fails, those backers could exercise drag-along rights and put options, potentially resulting in increased financial obligations for Kbank. Meanwhile, Upbit has seen other notable shifts in its business and governance. In November, Dunamu and Naver Financial, a subsidiary of internet giant Naver, approved a merger plan structured as a comprehensive share swap at a ratio of 1 to 2.54. At the time of the announcement, market observers estimated Dunamu’s valuation at 15 trillion won ($10.4 billion), compared with 5 trillion won ($3.5 billion) for Naver Financial. 

Hong Kong Embraces Web3 Development with Dedicated Task ForceHong Kong has taken another step towards embracing the potential growth of the crypto industry by creating a dedicated task force for Web3 development.Led by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the task force, which was announced on Friday, consists of 15 non-official members, including university professors and entrepreneurs. As official members, government officials and financial regulators are involved.Financial Secretary Chan expressed his optimism about blockchain technology, the foundation of Web3, highlighting its potential for innovation through features such as disintermediation, security, transparency, and cost-efficiency. The task force envisions Web3 as a solution to challenges faced in sectors like finance, trade, business operations, and everyday life.Photo by Shubham Dhage on UnsplashMulti-agency participationNotable members of the task force include the CEOs of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. Their presence demonstrates the commitment of top finance regulators in Hong Kong to the Web3 initiative. Additionally, Yat Siu, chairman of metaverse firm Animoca Brands, joins as a non-official member, bringing diverse perspectives to the table.Financial Secretary Chan emphasized Hong Kong’s ambition to become a significant player in the Web3 space. The city-state aims to support companies and nurture local talent within the ecosystem. This initiative aligns with Hong Kong’s long-term vision for crypto development, as set out in a policy document released last October. It’s the latest in a whole series of measures officials have taken since then to further that crypto ambition.Strategic positioningBy establishing the Web3 task force, Hong Kong seeks to position itself as a prominent hub for crypto activities. The city-state recognizes the potential economic benefits and job opportunities associated with the crypto industry. The task force’s diverse composition reflects the government’s intention to collaborate with stakeholders from various sectors and gather insights from academia, government bodies, and industry experts.Furthermore, the task force aims to create a supportive environment for digital asset development. Hong Kong’s financial regulators have been actively working on regulatory frameworks to ensure investor protection and promote market integrity.While it is still in the early stages, global crypto exchanges like Huobi, OKX, and BitMEX have recently expressed their intentions to establish a presence in Hong Kong. This indicates growing interest in the city-state’s crypto potential and validates the government’s efforts to position Hong Kong as a welcoming and conducive environment for crypto-related businesses.With its commitment to fostering digital asset development, Hong Kong demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to leverage the benefits of blockchain technology and position itself as a thriving ecosystem for Web3 innovation.The collaboration between academic, governmental, and regulatory stakeholders sets the stage for the Chinese autonomous territory to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the evolving crypto space. Hong Kong’s proactive stance and the establishment of the Web3 task force reinforce its position as a global financial hub and a front-runner in embracing emerging technologies for future economic growth.

Lemon Healthcare launches blockchain-based electronic prescription serviceSeoul-based healthcare data platform company Lemon Healthcare’s blockchain-based, personalized electronic prescription service dubbed “LemonCare” has officially been launched in three major hospitals in the North Gyeongsang Province region of South Korea, according to an article published by local news outlet Etnews on Thursday. This comes after the recent end of the service’s development and pilot operation period.Photo by Christina Victoria Craft on UnsplashRevolutionizing healthcareThe aim of the project was to replace paper prescriptions with electronic prescriptions through a blockchain-based mobile service that offers patients an additional layer of security as well as the ability to view and manage their prescription history. It also reduces and prevents risks such as duplicate prescriptions.Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital and Daegu Fatima Hospital — all located in Daegu Metropolitan City in North Gyeongsang Province — were selected as participants in the pilot project, during which they were responsible for electronically prescribing medication to patients, which would then be compounded and delivered by nearby pharmacies. They will also be the first to implement the app as an official service.Advancing healthcare accessLemon Healthcare stated that it has also hired new personnel, applied for patents related to electronic prescriptions and issued some 500 electronic prescriptions.Patients who have received treatment at any of the three hospitals and want to utilize the electronic prescription service can do so under the “Electronic Prescription Delivery” option on the hospital’s mobile app. After completing user authentication, the patient’s prescription is transmitted to the pharmacy of their choice, from which patients can pick up their medication.Leveraging its blockchain technology, Lemon Healthcare plans to bring secure and accurate electronic prescription services to more people in the future.