
Upbit now holds the largest XRP reserves globally, significantly exceeding Binance, driven by strong South Korean trading interest.
The "Kimchi Premium" and potential inclusion in Trump's proposed crypto reserve are factors influencing Upbit's high XRP trading volume and South Korean interest.
Analysts remain optimistic about XRP's future, particularly with potential SEC lawsuit resolution.
South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, upbit
upbit - cs@upbit.com Centralised Exchange has just hit a major milestone – it now holds the most XRP reserves among all tracked exchanges, even surpassing Binance
Binance - binance@miceneurol.com Centralised ExchangeCryptocurrenciesTrading AppCryptocurrency investment This shift comes at a time when XRP is gaining massive traction in South Korea, with trading volumes soaring and interest reaching record highs.
This comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald J. Trump is a US-based business tycoon, pro-crypto politician, and 47th (present) President of the United States. He comprehends the significance and needs of the modern fintech world, and people look up to him as a dominant pro-crypto politician.
Once doubtful about Bitcoin's dominance, he said in a tweet in 2019, “I am not a fan of Bitcoin", but now has a significant amount of cryptocurrency holdings in his pool. He has also signed an Executive Order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which highlights his commitment to the future of cryptocurrency.
Quick Facts
Full name Donald John Trump Birth 14-06-1946, New York, United States Nationality American Education BS from the University of Pennsylvania Famous For Business, Politics
Donald Trump - Career Highlights & Events
2016 – Elected as the 45th President of the United States from the Republican Party. 2017 – Signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, impacting investment environments 2019 – Slammed crypto king Bitcoin on X, calls it "not money". 2025 – A gala party was hosted by him for the top 220 Trump meme coin holders. President announced plans for a U.S. crypto reserve featuring XRP and other tokens. Upbit now holds twice as much XRP as Binance, the second-largest exchange in terms of XRP reserves – showing the growing interest in XRP trading in South Korea.
Crypto analyst Kate Young Ju highlighted this shift in an X post, drawing attention to Upbit’s increasing dominance in XRP.
Is It Due To Kimchi Premium?
Upbit is not only the largest holder of XRP reserves, but it also leads in XRP trading volume. Data from CoinMarketCap shows that Upbit accounts for 14.37% of the total XRP trading volume, overtaking Binance, which holds 12%.
Some analysts believe this surge is partly due to the Kimchi Premium, a price gap between South Korean and global crypto markets.
The Kimchi Premium happens when crypto prices in South Korea are higher than in other markets. This is caused by capital controls and inefficiencies in the South Korean market, leading to inflated local prices. When these prices are factored into global averages, they can make overall values seem higher than they actually are.
XRP Interest in South Korea Reaches a Five-Year High
Google Trends data supports this growing interest, showing that searches for “XRP” in South Korea have hit their highest level in five years. More people in the country are investing in crypto, with over 30% of the population now holding digital assets. XRP, in particular, has gained strong traction.
XRP in the Crypto Reserve
One reason behind XRP’s recent surge could be Trump’s proposed crypto reserve, which includes XRP alongside major assets like Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA). The announcement triggered speculation and a price jump for XRP, attracting investor attention.
However, the price rally didn’t last long. Doubts about Trump’s crypto reserve plans led to a market correction, pulling XRP’s price down. Despite this, analysts believe XRP is still undervalued and has room for growth.
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Could an XRP ETF Be Next?
Regulatory uncertainty remains a challenge for XRP, but there is growing speculation about a potential XRP ETF. Some believe the SEC might drop its lawsuit against Ripple by April. If that happens, it could be a major win for XRP, paving the way for more adoption and investment.
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Despite market fluctuations, XRP remains a key player in the global crypto conversation. Watch Coinpedia for more.