Young explained that back in 2017, the Kimchi premium put the price of Bitcoin in Korea at more than 20% over the average Bitcoin price in the rest of the world. Indeed, BTC was trading at roughly $24,000 in South Korea, while most of the rest of the world were paying $20,000 per BTC.
"Demand for Bitcoin in South Korea Is Likely Outpacing Supply.”
Since Bitcoin’s major boom-and-bust cycle in late 2017 and early 2018, the Kimchi Premium has been regarded as a signal that Bitcoin prices may be in for further gains. Young explains that this is because the Premium is “a bullish sign suggesting that demand for Bitcoin in South Korea is likely outpacing supply.”
In other words, a high premium can indicate that market sentiment in South Korea is positive; it can also indicate that more buyers are making their way into Bitcoin markets. “The premium was especially high during past bull cycles, particularly in 2017 when BTC was trading well over 20% higher on South Korean exchanges compared with Coinbase and other large exchanges,” Young said.
Why could Bitcoin prices in South Korea be an important indicator for what may soon happen with Bitcoin in the rest of the world? Joseph Young says that South Korea’s BTC market is one of the world’s largest in terms of daily volume.
For example, the South Korean exchange Bithumb is listed as the 7th-largest exchange in the world by trading volume.
BTC's Corporate and Institutional Boosts Continue
While the Kimchi Premium is likely a positive indicator for the price of Bitcoin in parts of Asia, there are other indicators that suggest that BTC may continue to perform well in the coming weeks.
“I think as we see more institutions enter the market and inflation as a result of printing money across the world, the more the mass market will enter the crypto space. From there, it is simply a matter of supply and demand,” he said.
Young explained that back in 2017, the Kimchi premium put the price of Bitcoin in Korea at more than 20% over the average Bitcoin price in the rest of the world. Indeed, BTC was trading at roughly $24,000 in South Korea, while most of the rest of the world were paying $20,000 per BTC.
"Demand for Bitcoin in South Korea Is Likely Outpacing Supply.”
Since Bitcoin’s major boom-and-bust cycle in late 2017 and early 2018, the Kimchi Premium has been regarded as a signal that Bitcoin prices may be in for further gains. Young explains that this is because the Premium is “a bullish sign suggesting that demand for Bitcoin in South Korea is likely outpacing supply.”
In other words, a high premium can indicate that market sentiment in South Korea is positive; it can also indicate that more buyers are making their way into Bitcoin markets. “The premium was especially high during past bull cycles, particularly in 2017 when BTC was trading well over 20% higher on South Korean exchanges compared with Coinbase and other large exchanges,” Young said.
Why could Bitcoin prices in South Korea be an important indicator for what may soon happen with Bitcoin in the rest of the world? Joseph Young says that South Korea’s BTC market is one of the world’s largest in terms of daily volume.
For example, the South Korean exchange Bithumb is listed as the 7th-largest exchange in the world by trading volume.
BTC's Corporate and Institutional Boosts Continue
While the Kimchi Premium is likely a positive indicator for the price of Bitcoin in parts of Asia, there are other indicators that suggest that BTC may continue to perform well in the coming weeks.
“I think as we see more institutions enter the market and inflation as a result of printing money across the world, the more the mass market will enter the crypto space. From there, it is simply a matter of supply and demand,” he said.
Rachel is a self-taught crypto geek and a passionate writer. She believes in the power that the written word has to educate, connect and empower individuals to make positive and powerful financial choices. She is the Podcast Host and a Cryptocurrency Editor at Finance Magnates.
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